Computerised tomography findings in multiple sclerosis and Schilder's disease

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Neurology
• Radiology

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.
• Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of MS progression are crucial for effective patient management.
• Computerised tomography (CT) offers a non-invasive method for visualizing brain structures and potential lesions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of brain and orbital CT scans in diagnosing and characterizing multiple sclerosis.
• To identify CT findings indicative of demyelination and atrophy in MS patients.
• To assess the involvement of optic nerves in MS using CT imaging.

Main Methods:

• Brain CT scans were performed on 95 patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
• Orbital CT scans were conducted on 53 of these patients to examine the optic nerves.
• A single patient with Schilder's disease underwent both brain and orbital CT.

Main Results:

• Low-density areas consistent with demyelination plaques were observed in the cerebral white matter of 51% of MS patients and less frequently in the brainstem.
• Cerebral atrophy (central and/or cortical) was present in 45% of MS patients, with severity correlating with disease duration.
• Low-density lesions were identified in the optic nerves of 52% of MS patients, though their significance remains uncertain.
• A large area of reduced intensity was noted in the occipital white matter of the patient with Schilder's disease.

Conclusions:

• CT imaging can detect characteristic demyelinating lesions and cerebral atrophy in multiple sclerosis patients.
• CT findings in the optic nerves may suggest demyelination, but further investigation is needed to confirm their significance.
• CT provides valuable insights into the structural changes associated with multiple sclerosis and Schilder's disease.