Work

Central nervous system infectious diseases mimicking multiple sclerosis: recognizing distinguishable features using MRI

Year: 2013

Type: review

Abstract: The current diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) confirm the relevant role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), supporting the possibility of characterizing the dissemination in space (DIS) and the dissemination in time (DIT) in a single scan. To maintain the specificity of these criteria, it is necessary to determine whether T2/FLAIR visible lesions and the gadolinium enhancement can be attributed to diseases that mimic MS. Several diseases are included in the MS differential diagnosis list, including diseases with exacerbation, remitting periods and numerous treatable infectious diseases, which can mimic the MRI features of MS. We discuss the most relevant imaging features in several infectious diseases that resemble MS and examine the primary spatial distributions of lesions and the gadolinium enhancement patterns related to MS. Recognizing imaging "red flags" can be useful for the proper diagnostic evaluation of suspected cases of MS, facilitating the correct differential diagnosis by assessing the combined clinical, laboratory and MR imaging information.

Source: Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria

DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x20130162

Authors: Antonio Jose da Rocha, Ingrid Aguiar Littig, Renato Hoffmann Nunes, Charles Peter Tilbery

Institution: Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo

Language: English

Topic: Multiple Sclerosis Research Studies

Subfield: Clinical Neurology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $200