[Relapsing-remitting inflammatory disease of the central nervous system with normal MRI: multiple sclerosis or phenocopy in a series of 15 patients]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2003 Apr;159(4):397-404.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is a demyelinating disease of central nervous system. Although many sub-types and clinical forms are identified, diagnosis is clearly related to the detection of MS lesions on brain MRI. We report data of 15 patients admitted in Nice for suspicion of MS after clinical relapsing-remitting or progressive symptoms. Extensive screening tests (i.e blood sample, CSF, MRI, spectroscopy) were performed at onset and at each relapse. All patients had normal-appearing white matter on spinal cord and brain MRI. Nevertheless, 11 patients can be considered as MS according to McDonald criteria.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / therapeutic use
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brain / pathology
  • Demyelinating Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Demyelinating Diseases / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Interferon-beta / therapeutic use
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / blood
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / pathology
  • Phenotype
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Puncture

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Interferon-beta