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Conventional brain MRI in neuromyelitis optica
1Cuban Multiple Sclerosis Society, Havana, Cuba. cabrera.gomez@infomed.sld.cu
Background And Purpose:
Numerous case series have demonstrated that lesions on brain MRI are common in neuromyelitis optica (NMO), but there has not been an attempt to survey and synthesize the literature on neuro-radiology of brain findings in NMO.
Objectives:
To review the studies on conventional brain MRI in NMO and to propose to incorporate characteristic brain MRI lesions into the diagnostic criteria of NMO.
Methods:
We searched for articles with descriptions of brain MRI findings in NMO in EBSCO, EMBASE, PubMed/Medline, Science Citation Index, and SCOPUS.
Results:
Brain abnormalities are seen in majority of NMO patients as disease duration increases. A minority of NMO patients meet Barkhof criteria for space dissemination in multiple sclerosis (MS), and these criteria should not be used to exclude NMO diagnosis. Distinctive brain lesions of NMO are cataloged and described.
Conclusions:
Brain lesions in NMO are a consistent feature of the disease. International consensus MRI criteria are needed for NMO analogous to the existing criteria for MS.
Insights
Brain MRI lesions are common in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and should be considered in diagnostic criteria. Current multiple sclerosis (MS) criteria are not suitable for diagnosing NMO.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimaging
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is characterized by lesions on brain MRI.
- Previous studies have not synthesized neuro-radiological findings in NMO.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review brain MRI findings in NMO.
- To propose incorporating characteristic brain MRI lesions into NMO diagnostic criteria.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of EBSCO, EMBASE, PubMed/Medline, Science Citation Index, and SCOPUS.
- Analysis of articles describing brain MRI findings in NMO.
Main Results:
- Brain abnormalities are prevalent in NMO patients, increasing with disease duration.
- Barkhof criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) are met by a minority of NMO patients and should not exclude NMO.
- Distinctive brain lesions characteristic of NMO were cataloged and described.
Conclusions:
- Brain lesions are a consistent feature of NMO.
- There is a need for international consensus MRI criteria for NMO, similar to those for MS.
