Challenges in optic nerve and spinal cord MRI

MAGNIMS Workshop

November 11th, 2022

The aim of this MAGNIMS workshop is to analyse and discuss the role of optic nerve and spinal cord MRI in the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis, and review some technical issues in the MRI acquisition and assessment in clinical practice of these two highly clinically relevant areas of the central nervous system.

The workshop also includes two round tables that have the objective to present and discuss two controversial topics, one related to the inclusion of the optic nerve as one of the topographies required to demonstrate demyelinating lesions disseminated in space, and the second on the value of spinal cord MRI in the monitoring process of multiple sclerosis.

From all the contributions made during the workshop, a MAGNIMS paper will be prepared and submitted to a radiological/neurological journal.

Challenges in optic nerve and spinal cord MRI

08.30 – 08.40 Welcome and Introduction to the Workshop
Jaume Sastre-Garriga & Àlex Rovira

08.40-10.40 First session – Optic nerve MR imaging
Chairs: Christina Granziera (Basel), Jette Frederiksen (Copenhaguen)

08.40-09.00 – Issues in the MRI acquisition and assessment of the optic nerve in clinical practice

À. Rovira (Barcelona)

09.00-09.20: Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of optic nerve inflammatory demyelinating conditions

C. Enzinger (Graz)

09.20-09.40: Optic nerve MRI in the management of acute optic neuritis

J. Sastre-Garriga (Barcelona)

09.40-10.00: Quantitative MRI in the assessment of the optic nerve

AT. Toosy (London)

10.00-10.40: Round table: Should the optic nerve be included in the McDonald diagnostic criteria?

• Evidences in favor: A. Vidal-Jordana (Barcelona)

• Evidences against: C. Granziera (Basel)

Discussants: M. Filippi (Milan), O. Ciccarelli (London)

10.40-11.00 Coffee break

11.00 – 12.40 Second session – Spinal cord MR imaging
Chairs: Mara Rocca (Milan), Deborah Pareto (Barcelona)

11.00 -11.20: Issues in the MRI acquisition and assessment of the spinal cord

F. Barkhof (Amsterdam-London)

11.20- 11.40: Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of spinal cord inflammatory demyelinating conditions

J. Palace (Oxford)

11.40-12.00 Quantitative MRI in the assessment of the spinal cord

P. Valsasina (Milan)

12.00-12.40: Round table: Should we use spinal cord MRI for monitoring MS?

• Evidences against: Rosa Cortese (Siena)

• Evidences in favour: C. Gasperini (Rome)

Discussants: M. Tintoré (Barcelona), L. Kappos (Basel), T. Yousri (London)

12.40-13.00: Wrap-up and future actions
Àlex Rovira & Jaume Sastre-Garriga