MRI characteristics of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: An international update

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Item Type:	Review
Title:	MRI characteristics of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: An international update
Creators Name:	Kim, H.J., Paul, F., Lana-Peixoto, M.A., Tenembaum, S., Asgari, N., Palace, J., Klawiter, E.C., Sato, D.K., de Seze, J., Wuerfel, J., Banwell, B.L., Villoslada, P., Saiz, A., Fujihara, K. and Kim, S.H.
Abstract:	Since its initial reports in the 19th century, neuromyelitis optica (NMO) had been thought to involve only the optic nerves and spinal cord. However, the discovery of highly specific anti-aquaporin-4 antibody diagnostic biomarker for NMO enabled recognition of more diverse clinical spectrum of manifestations. Brain MRI abnormalities in patients seropositive for anti-aquaporin-4 antibody are common and some may be relatively unique by virtue of localization and configuration. Some seropositive patients present with brain involvement during their first attack and/or continue to relapse in the same location without optic nerve and spinal cord involvement. Thus, characteristics of brain abnormalities in such patients have become of increased interest. In this regard, MRI has an increasingly important role in the differential diagnosis of NMO and its spectrum disorder (NMOSD), particularly from multiple sclerosis. Differentiating these conditions is of prime importance because early initiation of effective immunosuppressive therapy is the key to preventing attack-related disability in NMOSD, whereas some disease-modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis may exacerbate the disease. Therefore, identifying the MRI features suggestive of NMOSD has diagnostic and prognostic implications. We herein review the brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord MRI findings of NMOSD.
Keywords:	Brain, Differential Diagnosis, Internationality, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuromyelitis Optica, Spinal Cord, Animals
Source:	Neurology
ISSN:	0028-3878
Publisher:	American Academy of Neurology
Volume:	84
Number:	11
Page Range:	1165-1173
Date:	17 March 2015
Additional Information:	Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Neurology.
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000001367
External Fulltext:	View full text on PubMed Central
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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