New concepts about the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and follow-up of multiple sclerosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely considered to be the most important paraclinical technique for establishing an accurate early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis as well as for predicting its prognosis and monitoring and predicting the efficacy of different treatments for this disease. In recent years, new imaging findings for multiple sclerosis have been described, and new evidence about the role of MRI in the follow-up of this disease has accumulated. Moreover, the European Commission's regulations of the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents have required that the indications for their use in clinical practice be revised and restricted. Radiologists need to be familiar with these developments and recommendations to use MRI appropriately in the diagnosis and follow-up of multiple sclerosis.