Ependymal “Dot-Dash” Sign, a Typical Symptom in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Czech version

Authors: M. Vaněčková ¹; Z. Seidl ^1,2; J. Krásenský ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Radiodiagnostická klinika, oddělení MR, 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze ¹; Vysoká škola zdravotnická, Praha ²
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2009; 72/105(1): 57-59
Category: Short Communication

Overview

By magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 45 patients with clinically defined multiple sclerosis (MS) and 14 patients without MS was inspected for “Dot-Dash” sign. This ependymal irregularity should be an indication of a future ovoid periventricular lesion. Sagittal 2-mm fluid attenuated inversion recovery images were used. This sign was positive in 93.3% of patients with MS and in just 35.7% of the control group. Ependymal “Dot-Dash” sign was highly associated (p = 0.0012) with definite clinical MS. In our opinion, a standard MRI protocol for MS diagnosis should be supplemented by this sequence.

Key words:
multiple sclerosis – diagnostic – magnetic resonance imaging – ependym

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