Authors: MDPI AG, Grosspeteranlage 5, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND; 2-s2.0-85112011075

Journal: Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy||Italy

Published: cc-by

DOI: University of Naples ‘Federico II’||University of Naples ‘Federico II’||University of Naples ‘Federico II’||University of Naples ‘Federico II’||Sapienza University of Rome||Sapienza University of Rome||University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”||ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda||University of Pisa||IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital and University||University of Messina||University of Padua||Cardarelli Hospital||Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.) di Cagliari||IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino||Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino Estense||Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria (A.O.U.) di Cagliari||University of Naples ‘Federico II’||University of Naples ‘Federico II’||University of Naples ‘Federico II’

Volume: Tortora M.; Tranfa M.; D'Elia A.C.; Pontillo G.; Petracca M.; Bozzao A.; Caranci F.; Cervo A.; Cosottini M.; Falini A.; Longo M.; Manara R.; Muto M.; Porcu M.; Roccatagliata L.; Todeschini A.; Saba L.; Brunetti A.; Cocozza S.; Elefante A., Issue: 2021, Pages: Tortora||Tranfa||D’Elia||Pontillo||Petracca||Bozzao||Caranci||Cervo||Cosottini||Falini||Longo||Manara||Muto||Porcu||Roccatagliata||Todeschini||Saba||Brunetti||Cocozza||Elefante-(1) Although guidelines about the use of MRI sequences for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis and follow-up are available, variability in acquisition protocols is not uncommon in everyday clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the real-world application of MS imaging guidelines in different settings to clarify the level of adherence to these guidelines. (2) Via an on-line anonymous survey, neuroradiologists (NR) were asked about MRI protocols and parameters routinely acquired when MS patients are evaluated in their center, both at diagnosis and followup. Furthermore, data about report content and personal opinions about emerging neuroimaging markers were also retrieved. (3) A total of 46 participants were included, mostly working in a hospital or university hospital (80.4%) and with more than 10 years of experience (47.9%). We found a relatively good adherence to the suggested MRI protocols regarding the use of T2-weighted sequences, although almost 10% of the participants routinely acquired 2D sequences with a slice thickness superior to 3 mm. On the other hand, a wider degree of heterogeneity was found regarding gadolinium administration, almost routinely performed at follow-up examination (87.0% of cases) in contrast with the current guidelines, as well as a low use of a standardized reporting system (17.4% of cases). (4) Although the MS community is getting closer to a standardization of MRI protocols, there is still a relatively wide heterogeneity among NR, with particular reference to contrast administration, which must be overcome to guarantee an adequate quality of patients’ care in MS.