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  • 2024-11-20 - EDMUS Foundation / OFSEP Call for research proposals

    The EDMUS Foundation, in partnership with the France Sclérose en Plaques Foundation, launches its 10th call for research proposals. It aims at fostering research with relevance to multiple sclerosis and related disorders, provided the studies are using data collected / or to be collected by the Observatoire Français de la Sclérose en Plaques (OFSEP). More details on the EDMUS Foundation website.

  • 2023-11-27 - EDMUS Foundation / OFSEP Call for research proposals

    The EDMUS Foundation, in partnership with the ARSEP Foundation, launches its ninth call for research proposals. It aims at fostering research with relevance to multiple sclerosis and related disorders, provided the studies are using data collected / or to be collected by the Observatoire Français de la Sclérose en Plaques (OFSEP). More details on the EDMUS Foundation website.

  • 2023-10-04 - 39th ECTRIMS Congress

    39th ECTRIMS  Congress (European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis) will be held in Milan from 11 to 13 October 2023. Our coordination team will welcome you at stand E44.

 

Data management

In order to store the mass of MRI data, a dedicated neuroimaging platform must be set up. When preparing its project, OFSEP chose Shanoir.

Shanoir

Shanoir is a neuroimaging platform that enables centralization of MRI data from patients in the cohort, while protecting confidentiality, in order to make them available to researchers with authorization from OFSEP. It enables (non-exhaustive list):

  • improved accessibility and data integrity;
  • structuring of data;
  • management of data sources;
  • easier collaboration between remote sites.

MRIs are prescribed as part of the patient's routine medical follow-up (see “MRI prescriptions”). They are conducted by radiologists and neuroradiologists according to the OFSEP recommended imaging protocol.

Twice a year, the data on the Shanoir platform are exported to the OFSEP National Coordination Center to compile the common imaging database.

MRIs transfer to Shanoir responds to specific instructions and above all to prioritization according to the characteristics of the patients.

To facilitate local monitoring of transfers and to respond to requests from the NCC in case of MRI identification problem, a monitoring file must be systematically completed by participating centers.

Documents (in French)

MRI prescriptions

The MRIs for patients in the OFSEP cohort are prescribed as part of normal patient monitoring. They are carried out by radiologists and neuroradiologists according to the OFSEP imaging protocol.

MRI prescription models are available below for download (in French):

OFSEP imaging protocol

After an initial version in 2015, the cerebral and spinal cord MRI protocol recommended by the OFSEP imaging group has been updated to include, in particular, new recommendations on the gadolinium injection for the follow-up of patients under treatment. The MRI protocol has just been modified following the publication of the McDonald 2024 criterias which now includes the optic nerve as a fifth topography and the centrl vein sign and paramagnetic rim lesions as additional criterias. This protocol is a consensus within the medical and scientific community (OFSEP and inflamatory group of the SFNR - French Neuroradiological Society). It is feasible on all equipments and compatible with clinical acquisition times.

OFSEP imaging protocol is available below to download (in French):

 

In order for this protocol to be carried out uniformly on French territory independently of MRI machine used, recommendations have been made regarding acquisition parameters. Application engineers of different manufacturers can help the imaging centers to install or update this protocol. Their contact details are below:

  • Siemens : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Philips : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • GE : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Canon : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • United imaging : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Following these recommendations is the best guarantee of quality longitudinal MRI follow-up for MS patients.

 

This protocol resulted in the following publication:

Lecler A, Mondot L, Homo C, Tourdias T, Vukusic S, Durand-Dubief F, Bapst B, Cotton F; OFSEP imaging group; MS Working Group of the French Society of Neuroradiology (Société Française de Neuroradiologie, SFNR). Updated French OFSEP recommendations for multiple sclerosis MRI: alignment with the 2024 McDonald criteria. J Neuroradiol. 2026 Jun 6;53(5):101576. doi: 10.1016/j.neurad.2026.101576