Management of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the era of disease modifying therapies (DMT) relies heavily on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the support of dedicated multidisciplinary teams (MDTs). While decisions are influenced by the reporting prowess of both neuroradiologists and general radiologists, study results presented at AAN 2021 found a significant rate of discrepancy in MRI reporting in MS cases between general and neuroradiologists.
Study data included demographics, original scan authors, the nature and frequency of reporting revisions made, and subsequent changes in management and investigation strategies. Of analyzed cases, 61% had a confirmed diagnosis of MS while 39% were under ongoing investigation. Of the cases, 71% were originally reported by a general radiologist and 29% by a neuroradiologist. Following neuroradiology review at the MDT, 42% had the original report amended; of these, 77% were originally authored by a non-neuroradiologist. Of scan reports authored by a general radiologist, 46% were amended following this specialist review. The most frequently occurring revision was identification of additional, originally unreported brain lesions. Of the report revisions, 46.2% resulted in a change in clinical management, DMT commencement/escalation and, in one case, consideration of plasma exchange. Findings confirm the importance of dedicated multidisciplinary teams with specialist neuroradiology.
