[Nuclear magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. A critical review of the literature]

Abstract

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been proposed to be the best diagnostic test for multiple sclerosis (MS). We performed a critical analysis of 13 papers evaluating the use of NMR in MS. Out of an ideal 17 criteria for validation and reproducibility, a top of 11 (65%) was the maximum found. Foremost deficiencies were a lack of blind analysis and inadequate patient samples. Thus the claim that NMR is the diagnostic tool of choice in MS remains to be proven.