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A differential diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination: beyond multiple sclerosis.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Eckstein, C; Saidha, S; Levy, M
Published in: J Neurol
May 2012

Although multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), it lacks any definitive diagnostic test. Instead, diagnosis of MS primarily depends upon clinical criteria, supported by abnormalities characteristic of MS on para-clinical investigations including magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine, in the absence of an alternative explanation for underlying neurologic symptoms. While many of the potential disorders that may mimic MS in routine clinical practice are either extremely rare, or associated with specific and characteristic distinguishing diagnostic features, some inflammatory demyelinating disorders of the CNS may be particularly challenging to distinguish from MS, especially during initial presentation. In particular, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, neuromyelitis optica, and idiopathic transverse myelitis may closely resemble MS, impeding prompt and accurate diagnosis. In this review, we describe the clinical features, diagnosis, pathology, and treatment of these other CNS demyelinating disorders. In addition, we review relevant features of other CNS inflammatory disorders that may mimic MS, including Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, Behçet's disease, and primary CNS vasculitis.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Neurol

DOI

EISSN

1432-1459

Publication Date

May 2012

Volume

259

Issue

5

Start / End Page

801 / 816

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Humans
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Demyelinating Diseases
  • Central Nervous System Diseases
  • 3209 Neurosciences
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1109 Neurosciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Eckstein, C., Saidha, S., & Levy, M. (2012). A differential diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination: beyond multiple sclerosis. J Neurol, 259(5), 801–816. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-011-6240-5
Eckstein, Christopher, Shiv Saidha, and Michael Levy. “A differential diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination: beyond multiple sclerosis.J Neurol 259, no. 5 (May 2012): 801–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-011-6240-5.
Eckstein C, Saidha S, Levy M. A differential diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination: beyond multiple sclerosis. J Neurol. 2012 May;259(5):801–16.
Eckstein, Christopher, et al. “A differential diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination: beyond multiple sclerosis.J Neurol, vol. 259, no. 5, May 2012, pp. 801–16. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s00415-011-6240-5.
Eckstein C, Saidha S, Levy M. A differential diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination: beyond multiple sclerosis. J Neurol. 2012 May;259(5):801–816.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Neurol

DOI

EISSN

1432-1459

Publication Date

May 2012

Volume

259

Issue

5

Start / End Page

801 / 816

Location

Germany

Related Subject Headings

  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Humans
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Demyelinating Diseases
  • Central Nervous System Diseases
  • 3209 Neurosciences
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1109 Neurosciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences