Brain And Spinal Cord Imaging Features In Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of typical and atypical hyperintense lesions of brain and spinal cord in a multicentric cohort of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and to assess if difference occurs in lesion distribution between NMOSD vs relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. Background: Brain and cord MRI features of NMOSD are variable. Typical white matter (WM) hyperintensities in the brain and spinal cord have been described. New entities, such as short transverse myelitis (STM) can also occur. Design/Methods: Brain and spinal cord MRI scans were obtained from 116 NMOSD and 60 RRMS patients from 3 European centers (Milan, Belgrade and Oxford). Both a qualitative (assessment of typical and atypical findings, prevalence of cortical/temporal pole lesions and 2010 McDonald criteria fulfillment) and a quantitative (T2-lesion probability maps and voxel-wise difference in lesion distribution) analysis were performed. Results: Cortical lesions did not occur and temporal pole involvement was infrequent (1%) in NMOSD patients compared to RRMS patients (p Conclusions: Typical brain and cord lesions occur in a minority of NMOSD patients. A relatively high percentage of NMOSD patients satisfies 2010 McDonald criteria, prompting the development of better algorithms for the differential diagnosis of WM conditions. Disclosure: Dr. Cacciaguerra has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rocca has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Biogen Idec, Novartis, Teva Neurosciences and Genzyme. Dr. Mesaros has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with scientific advisory board for Merck Serono. Dr. Mesaros has received research support from research grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175031). Dr. Radaelli has received compensation for serving on the Board of Directors of Has received travel support from Merck Serono, Sanofi and Teva and honoraria for speaking from Teva and Sanofi. Dr. Palace has nothing to disclose. Dr. Drulovic has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with advisory boards: Bayer Schering Pharma, merck Serono, Teva, Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, Roche; speaking honoraria: merck Serono, teva, Bayer Schering, genzyme, a Sanofi Company, Medis, Roche. Dr. Drulovic has received research support from research grant support: Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175031). Dr. Pagani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Martinelli has nothing to disclose. Dr. Matthews has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dujmovic Basuroski has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with advisory board for Bayer Schering Pharma; received honoraria for speaking from Merck Serono, Roche and Medis. Dr. Dujmovic Basuroski has received research support from research grant support from the Ministry of Education and Science, Republic of Serbia (project no. 175031). Dr. Comi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Filippi has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Biogen Idec, Merk-Serono, Novartis, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. Dr. Filippi has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Journal of Neurology. Dr. Filippi has received research support from Biogen Idec, Novartis, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries.