Multiple ring-enhancing lesions in a child with relapsing multiple sclerosis

The presence of ring-enhancing lesions in brain magnetic resonance images (MRIs) often raises the concern of an infectious etiology, although this radiographic finding is also seen in patients with multiple sclerosis. Multiple ring-enhancing lesions have been reported in adult patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis but have not yet been reported in childhood multiple sclerosis. We report here a 14-year-old girl with recurrent neurologic symptoms. Her initial brain MRI showed multiple ring-enhancing lesions involving numerous white-matter fiber tracts. An extensive investigation for infectious etiologies was unrevealing. Studies of cerebrospinal fluid showed an elevated myelin basic protein and the presence of an oligoclonal band not seen in the serum. The results of electrophysiologic studies suggested a demyelinating process. The patient responded rapidly to high-dose corticosteroid treatment. However, she suffered a clinical relapse 3 months later, presenting with dysesthesia and weakness of the right arm. Repeat MRI showed multiple new active lesions. This case report illustrates that multiple ring-enhancing lesions in the brain MRI can be seen in children with multiple sclerosis and that multiple sclerosis should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis when encountering a pediatric patient with similar radiographic findings.