Table 6.

Neurologists’ recommendations for an effective MRI report

What to include	What not to include
∙Descriptive elements:∘Number of lesions (e.g. 0-10, >10, numerous)∘Location (e.g. juxtacortical, subcortical/deep, periventricular, infratentorial)∘Comment on whether lesions are typical of demyelination∘Number and location of enhancing lesions∘Number and location of definite new (≥3 mm) and/or enlarging lesions compared to previous study∘Pattern of lesions∘Presence and appearance of any spinal cord lesions∘Comment on whether scan meets DIS or DIT criteria (if requested)	∙Focus on irrelevant or incidental findings∙Vague descriptions (e.g. “changes consistent with demyelination”) without further details
∙Interpretation:∘Preferred wording is “lesions typical of” or “suggestive of” MS∘Commentary welcomed on whether lesion pattern is suggestive of active disease∘Useful to compare/contrast with earlier scans if available∘Should report any findings that are not typical of MS, to aid in differential diagnosis	∙“Lesions diagnostic of MS”∙“McDonald MS criteria met”
∙Reinforcement of the need for clinical information to support MRI findings in diagnosis	∙A diagnosis based on MRI findings alone

DIS: dissemination in space; DIT: dissemination in time; MS: multiple sclerosis.