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Multiple sclerosis and the spinal cord

William Sheremata1, Leticia Tornes

  • 1Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. wsherema@med.miami.edu

Neurologic Clinics
|November 29, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), including primary progressive MS (PPMS), is crucial. Prompt identification via clinically isolated syndromes and MRI leads to earlier treatment and better outcomes for spinal cord disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroimmunology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases

Background:

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS) often presents with spinal cord involvement, leading to diverse clinical manifestations.
  • MS encompasses relapsing-remitting and insidious primary progressive forms (PPMS), which can be challenging to diagnose promptly.
  • PPMS can mimic chronic myelopathies, necessitating its inclusion in differential diagnoses for such conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To emphasize the importance of recognizing early signs of MS, including clinically isolated syndromes.
  • To highlight the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the early diagnosis of MS.
  • To underscore the benefits of early MS diagnosis for treatment initiation and patient response.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical presentations of MS, focusing on spinal cord manifestations.
  • Consideration of diagnostic criteria for MS, including clinically isolated syndromes.
  • Emphasis on the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in early MS detection.

Main Results:

  • Clinical manifestations of MS can be attributed to spinal cord disease, presenting in classic or complex ways.
  • Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) may be overlooked due to its insidious progression and similarity to chronic myelopathies.
  • Awareness of clinically isolated syndromes and adherence to MRI criteria are key for early MS diagnosis.

Conclusions:

  • Early diagnosis of MS, facilitated by recognizing early syndromes and utilizing MRI, is essential.
  • Timely diagnosis enables the prompt initiation of disease-modifying therapies.
  • Early treatment intervention in MS is associated with a superior clinical response and improved patient outcomes.

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