Table 3.

Highlights of the CMSC-standardized protocol for brain MRI in CIS/MS

Core principle	∙Axial sequences oriented along the subcallosal plane (Figure 1)∙Whole brain coverage
Core sequence	∙Axial FLAIR:∘3-mm contiguous slices, acquired directly from a two-dimensional acquisition or from isotropic three-dimensional series∘4- to 5-mm slices with a maximum of 1-mm gap are also acceptable (although less optimal)
Additional sequences	∙Can be performed according to the CMSC guidelines or be specific to individual centres∙May include:∘Sagittal (FLAIR, PD, or T2)∘Axial T2∘Axial T1 (pre- and postcontrast)∙Optional:∘3D T1∘DWI
Gadolinium enhancement	∙Useful in certain clinical situations, but not always required (see Consensus Statement #3)
Field strength	∙Scans must be of good quality, with adequate SNR and spatial resolution (in plane 1 mm×1 mm)

CIS: clinically isolated syndrome; CMSC: Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres; DWI: diffusion-weighted imaging; FLAIR: fluid-attenuated inversion recovery; PD: proton-density–weighted; SNR: signal-to-noise ratio.