Prevalence of Slowly Expanding Lesions in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Andreas Liampas, Artemios Artemiadis, Vasilis-Spyridon Tseriotis et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prevalence of slowly expanding lesions (SELs) in 4,786 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It found that SELs constituted 14% of all T2 lesions, with 78% of patients having at least one SEL. The study utilized random-effects models to analyze data from 20 studies.
Key findings
- SELs accounted for 14% of all T2 lesions (95% CI 10-21).
- 78% of patients with MS had at least one SEL (67-85).
- Per-patient mean volume of SELs was 1.42 mL (0.79-2.06).
- 11% of SELs overlapped with paramagnetic rim lesions (6-20).
Why it matters
Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of SELs in MS can enhance the interpretation of MRI findings, aiding in the assessment of chronic inflammatory activity and potentially influencing management strategies.
What to keep in mind
The study acknowledges possible publication bias, high unexplained heterogeneity, and variability in SEL identification methods.