J Korean Neurol Assoc.  2016 Nov;34(5):290-296. 10.17340/jkna.2016.4.2.

Differential Diagnosis between Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

• Kim NH

• KMID: 2359439
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.17340/jkna.2016.4.2

Abstract

Until recently, neuromyelitis optica (NMO) was considered to be a clinical variant of multiple sclerosis (MS). The discovery of disease-specific anti-aquaporin-4 antibody has facilitated the differentiation of NMO from MS and led to the recognition of a broader phenotypic spectrum now referred to as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). However, distinguishing NMOSD from MS remains challenging, as a subgroup of NMOSD patients are found to be seronegative. The ability to differentiate between NMOSD and MS is critical because these conditions have distinct treatments and prognoses, and the disease-modifying treatment for MS can actually aggravate NMOSD. This review focuses on clinically relevant guidance for diagnosing and differentiating between NMOSD and MS.

Keyword

Neuromyelitis optica; Multiple sclerosis; Differential diagnosis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Optical coherence tomography

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis, Differential*
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Multiple Sclerosis*
Neuromyelitis Optica*
Prognosis
Tomography, Optical Coherence