Fig. 1.

The central vein sign. Representative 3D-EPI T2*-magnitude images in A axial, B sagittal, and C coronal planes acquired at 3T during the injection of gadolinium-based intravenous contrast agent in a 24-years-old relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patient. A conspicuous central vein sign is present in the majority of white matter lesions. In the magnified views, a central vein running through the lesion (red arrows) is visible as a hypointense line (axial and coronal planes) or a hypointense dot (sagittal plane). Abbreviations: 3D-EPI three-dimensional echo planar imaging