MRI of the central nervous system in MS patients with and without pain

作者：Svendsen Kristina Bacher^*; Sorensen Leif; Jensen Troels Stahelin; Hansen Hans Jacob; Bach Flemming Winther

来源：European Journal of Pain, 2011, 15(4): 395-401.

DOI：10.1016/j.ejpain.2010.09.006

• Multiple sclerosis
• Central pain
• MRI
• Pain mechanism
• Cross-sectional study

Background: Central pain (CP) is a common symptom in MS. Multiple theories are present about the mechanism of CP. Previous studies suggested that lesion of the spinothalamic tract is a necessary condition for development of CP. No previous study has in detail evaluated the association between the specific site of demyelinations and the presence of CP in MS.
Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the location of plaques in MS patients with CP including a group of MS patients without pain as a reference group.
Methods: All patients underwent a bedside sensory examination and MRI of the brain and spinal cord. MR imaging was acquired on an 1.5 Tesla MR equipment. A trained neuroradiologist, blinded to pain status, evaluated the MRI.
Results: Thirteen MS patients with CP and 10 MS patients without pain were included. Allodynia and/or dysesthesia were more frequent in pain patients (11/13 vs. 1/10, P < 0.01). No difference was found in the number of patients with plaques in spinothalamic tract, dorsal column-medial lemniscus, dorsolateral funiculus, grey substance, thalamus or capsula interna. A non-significantly lower number of pain patients had lesions in thalamo-cortical pathways (8/13 vs. 10/10, P = 0.027).
Conclusions: No association between CP and site of demyelinations was found, although a trend toward a higher prevalence of intact thalamo-cortical pathways was seen in pain patients. CP was associated with allodynia, suggesting central hyperexcitability.

• 出版日期2011-4