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The tension between early diagnosis and misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis

Nature Reviews Neurology volume 13, pages 567–572 (2017)Cite this article

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Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be challenging, and misdiagnosis remains a persistent problem with considerable consequences for patients and health-care systems. Common syndromes are frequently mistaken for MS. Misapplication of MS diagnostic criteria in patients with abnormal radiographic findings and clinical presentations that are atypical for MS is a frequent cause of misdiagnosis. Delays in diagnosis of MS and initiation of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) are associated with an increased risk of disability, putting pressure on physicians to make therapeutic decisions for patients whose diagnosis remains uncertain. DMT is associated with unnecessary risks and morbidity in misdiagnosed patients. This tension between the benefits of an early diagnosis and the risk of misdiagnosis is a pressing problem. For patients who present with brain MRI abnormalities and clinical syndromes that are atypical for MS, strict adherence to MS diagnostic criteria and further clinical, laboratory and radiographic evaluation is prudent and likely to clarify a diagnosis.

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Figure 1: MRI observations that are compatible with MS and other disorders.

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Acknowledgements

A.J.S. acknowledges funding support from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the University of Vermont Department of Neurological Sciences, the University of Vermont Department of Radiology, the University of Vermont MRI Center for Biomedical Imaging, and the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for research studies cited in this article. A.J.S. wishes to acknowledge Dr. Daniel S. Reich and the Translational Neuroradiology Section, Division of Neuroimmunology and Neurovirology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for support and collaboration.

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  1. Andrew J. Solomon is at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, 1 South Prospect Street, Burlington, Vermont 05401, USA.,

    Andrew J. Solomon

  2. John R. Corboy is at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12631 East 17th Avenue, B185 Aurora, Colorado 80045, USA, and at Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 1055 Clermont Street, Denver, Colorado 80220, USA.,

    John R. Corboy

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A.J.S. declares industry relationships in the form of consulting and advisory boards with Biogen, EMD Serono, Genentech and Teva. J.R.C. declares industry relationships with Med Day and Novartis, and honoraria from PRIME Education.

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Solomon, A., Corboy, J. The tension between early diagnosis and misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Nat Rev Neurol 13, 567–572 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2017.106

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