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The role of spinal cord imaging in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

Nature Clinical Practice Neurology volume 2, pages 283–286 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Background A 29-year-old male presented with fluctuating but progressive sensory disturbances comprising tingling and dysesthesia in his right leg. MRI of the brain showed white matter lesions initially thought to be caused by multiple sclerosis.

Investigations Neurological examination, cerebrospinal fluid examination, laboratory blood testing, brain and spinal MRI scans.

Diagnosis Spinal cord schwannoma.

Management Surgical removal of the schwannoma. An algorithm is provided that clarifies the appropriate MRI work-up for cases where the clinical presentation is suggestive of multiple sclerosis.

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Figure 1: T2-weighted transverse image of the brain showing multiple high-signal lesions around the ventricles (arrows).
Figure 2: Spinal cord MRI revealing an intradural hypointense (probably calcified) mass on T2-weighted images.

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Acknowledgements

The MS Centre of the VU Medical Centre is partially funded by a program grant from the Dutch MS Research Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. a clinical research fellowVU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Jessica M Nielsen

  2. Professor of RadiologyVU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Frederik Barkhof

  3. a neurologistVU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Bob W van Oosten

  4. Professor of NeurologyVU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Chris H Polman

Authors
  1. Jessica M Nielsen
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  2. Frederik Barkhof
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  3. Bob W van Oosten
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  4. Chris H Polman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jessica M Nielsen.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Nielsen, J., Barkhof, F., van Oosten, B. et al. The role of spinal cord imaging in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 2, 283–286 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpneuro0169

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpneuro0169

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