Skin Thickening of the Scalp and High Signal Intensity of Dentate Nucleus in Multiple Sclerosis: Association With Linear Versus Macrocyclic Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents Administration.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the presence of detectable changes of skin thickness on clinical brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in patients with MS, history of multiple gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) administrations, and evidence of gadolinium deposition in the brain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this observational cross-sectional study, 71 patients with MS who underwent conventional brain MRI with an imaging protocol including enhanced 3D volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) T1-weighted with fat saturation were assessed. Patients with bilateral isointense dentate nucleus on unenhanced T1-weighted images were assigned to group A (controls without MRI evidence of gadolinium deposition), and patients with visually hyperintense dentate nuclei were assigned to group B. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the skin thickness were performed.

RESULTS

Group A included 27 patients (median age, 33 years [IQR, 27-46]; 20 women), and group B included 44 patients (median age, 42 years [IQR, 35-53]; 29 women). Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the skin revealed significant differences between group A and group B. The average skin-to-scalp thickness ratios was significantly higher in group B than in group A (mean ± standard deviation = 0.52 ± 0.02 in group B vs 0.41 ± 0.02 in group A, P < 0.0001) and showed a positive correlation with the total number of enhanced MRI scans ( r = 0.39; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.57, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Brain MRI detects increased skin thickness of the scalp in patients with MS and dentate nucleus high signal intensity on unenhanced T1-weighted images and shows positive association with previous exposures to linear GBCAs rather than macrocyclic GBCAs.