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Acute transverse myelitis with normal brain MRI

Long-term risk of MS

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the long-term risk of developing MS in patients presenting with acute transverse myelitis (ATM) and normal brain MRI scans at onset.

Methods

We studied 58 ATM patients with normal brain MRI at presentation for up to 5 years with serial neurologic and imaging studies. All patients underwent CSF analysis at onset which was defined positive if two or more IgG oligoclonal bands and/or elevated IgG index were present. Brain and spinal cord MRI scans were obtained every 6 months for the first 2 years, and annually thereafter unless the patient experienced a second neurologic attack different from the initial episode to confirm CDMS or there was demonstration of MRI lesions confirming dissemination in time and space to fulfill McDonald imaging criteria to diagnose MS.

Results

Seventeen of 58 (29%) patients developed MS of which 7 (41%) patients developed CDMS and 10 (59%) developed MS using McDonald Imaging Criteria. Mean time to CDMS by a second clinical attack was 11. 1 months compared to 19. 2 months by MRI lesions (P = 0. 03). None of the patients developed MS after 24 months of onset. All 17 patients who developed MS had positive CSF although 15 patients who had positive CSF did not develop MS during the 5 years of follow-up.

Conclusions

The majority of patients with ATM and normal brain MRI do not develop MS after 5 years of follow-up confirming the relatively low risk compared to patients with abnormal brain MRI scans. CSF is helpful in distinguishing patients more likely to develop MS. Compared to clinical attacks, serial imaging may not lead to an earlier diagnosis in ATM patients with normal brain MRI.

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Author notes

  1. R. Zabad MD

    Present address: Dept. of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Multiple Sclerosis Center, Dept. of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA

    J. Perumal MD, R. Zabad MD, C. Caon MSN,NPC, M. MacKenzie MS, A. Tselis MD, PhD, F. Bao MS, R. Lisak MD & O. Khan MD

  2. MR Research Center, Dept. of Radiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA

    F. Bao MS, Z. Latif BSc & I. Zak MD

  3. 4201 St Antoine, 8D-UHC, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    O. Khan MD

Authors
  1. J. Perumal MD
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  2. R. Zabad MD
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  3. C. Caon MSN,NPC
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  4. M. MacKenzie MS
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  5. A. Tselis MD, PhD
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  6. F. Bao MS
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  7. Z. Latif BSc
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  8. I. Zak MD
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  10. O. Khan MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to O. Khan MD.

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Perumal, J., Zabad, R., Caon, C. et al. Acute transverse myelitis with normal brain MRI. J Neurol 255, 89–93 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-007-0686-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-007-0686-5

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