Diagnostic brain MRI findings in primary progressive multiple sclerosis
- 1 April 2000
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Multiple Sclerosis Journal
- Vol. 6 (2), 81-85
- https://doi.org/10.1177/135245850000600205
Abstract
The clinical course of multiple sclerosis can be classified as relapsing from onset (relapsing-remitting), or progressive from onset (primary progressive -PPMS). These clinical phenotypes have been based on historical and clinical observations. It has been reported that PPMS patients tend to have quantitatively less MRI activity and disease burden. We evaluated the sensitivity and diagnostic value of conventional brain MRI scan in 143 PPMS patients. Brain MRIs were blindly evaluated to determine if they satisfied Paty and/or Fazekas diagnostic criteria. Patient were divided into those with typical atypical or normal scans. They satisfied brain MRI criteria in 92% cases. Findings included: 131 typical four atypical, and eight normal scans. All 12 non-typical scans' subject had spinal onset; spinal MRI scans were positive in four of seven cases. Sex, age of onset, site and number of symptoms involved at onset among those groups were not significantly different but accumulation of disability had a tendency to be slower in these few individuals with normal or atypical head MRI's. Although there may be quantitative differences in lesion activity/burden, MRI scanning in PPMS unexpectedly has diagnostic sensitivity very similar to that seen in RRMS. A normal brain MRI is unusual in PPMS patients.Keywords
This publication has 28 references indexed in Scilit:
- The natural history of multiple sclerosis: a geographically based studyBrain, 1999
- The natural history of multiple sclerosis:a geographically based studyBrain, 1999
- The natural history of multiple sclerosis: a geographically based study: 6. Applications to planning and interpretation of clinical therapeutic trials in primary progressive multiple sclerosisBrain, 1999
- A Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled, Randomized Trial of Cladribine in Relpaasing‐Remitting Multiple SclerosisProceedings of the Association of American Physicians, 1999
- Guidelines for using quantitative measures of brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in monitoring the treatment of multiple sclerosisAnnals of Neurology, 1998
- The prognostic value of brain MRI in clinically isolated syndromes of the CNS. A 10-year follow-upBrain, 1998
- Defining the clinical course of multiple sclerosisNeurology, 1996
- Patterns of disease activity in multiple sclerosis: clinical and magnetic resonance imaging study.BMJ, 1990
- New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: Guidelines for research protocolsAnnals of Neurology, 1983
- NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE BRAIN IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSISThe Lancet, 1981