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Updated: Jul 3, 2025

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An Ex vivo Model of an Oligodendrocyte-directed T-Cell Attack in Acute Brain Slices
Published on: February 5, 2015
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Tumefactive multiple sclerosis
Bünyamin Tosunoğlu1, Burcu Gökçe Çokal1, Hafize Nalan Güneş1
1Department of Neurology, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Summary
Tumefactive multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare, tumor-like condition of the central nervous system. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by MS lesions mimicking brain tumors or abscesses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Neuropathology
Background:
- Tumefactive multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare variant of MS characterized by large, space-occupying lesions.
- These lesions can mimic primary brain tumors or abscesses, posing diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- A 55-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of intermittent right arm and leg numbness, headache, confusion, and blurred vision.
- Radiological imaging revealed a large, enhancing lesion in the central nervous system.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with tumefactive MS based on clinical presentation, imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis.
- The lesion exhibited mass effect, edema, and ring enhancement, consistent with tumefactive MS.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering tumefactive MS in the differential diagnosis of newly presenting focal neurological deficits.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and to avoid unnecessary aggressive treatments for presumed tumors or infections.

