视神经脊髓炎脊髓损害的磁共振研究

目的分析视神经脊髓炎(NMO)和多发性硬化(MS)患者脊髓MRI特点,以及血清抗水通道蛋白4(AQP4)IgG抗体阳性与阴性NMO患者脊髓MRI特点。方法回顾分析贵州省中枢神经系统脱髓鞘疾病数据库中42例NMO和32例有脊髓损害的MS患者的脊髓MRI资料。结果与MS组比较,NMO患者脊髓病灶累及更长的椎体节段(P0.05),在脊髓MRI矢状位上表现为线样征和纵向延展的脊髓损害(LESCL)(P0.05)。轴位T2WI上亮斑状损害(BSLs)以及中心性、横贯性脊髓损害更常见(P0.05);在病灶部位及强化病灶上,NMO和MS组间比较差异无统计学意义。与血清抗AQP4-IgG抗体阴性NMO患者比较,阳性患者线样征、BSLs、中心性损害更常见(P0.05),在脊髓病灶部位、受累椎体节段数、LESCL、横贯性损害及强化病灶方面,抗AQP4-IgG抗体阳性组和阴性组间比较差异无统计学意义。结论除LESCL、线样征、横贯性损害和中心性损害特点外,BSLs可能是另一个有助于鉴别NMO与MS的脊髓病灶MRI特征。BSLs、线样征、中心性损害特点可能与NMO患者抗AQP4-IgG抗体的血清学状态有关。     

引起顽固性呃逆、呕吐的视神经脊髓炎的临床表现和影像学研究

目的 探讨引起顽固性呃逆、呕吐(IHN)的视神经脊髓炎(NMO)患者的临床表现和脑干、脊髓MRI特点.方法 收集中山大学附属第三医院神经科17例NMO患者的临床资料,对其中8例合并IHN的NMO患者临床表现及MRI特点进行分析.结果 IHN在NMO患者中常见,本组17例NMO中有8例合并IHN,临床上表现为IHN、复视、眼球震颤,其中6例表现有线样延髓征(LML)或线样延髓脊髓征(LMSL).脊髓纵向MRI显示病灶常常大于3个椎体节段,且以脊髓中央管为中心;轴位脊髓MRI表现为部分性或横贯性,以脊髓的后角或侧角为主,前角受累较少. 结论 引起IHN的NMO临床上多伴有复视和眼球震颤,延髓脊髓MRI常常可见LML或LMSL征,而且病灶以脊髓中央管为中心,后角或侧角受累为主,这些可与多发性硬化相鉴别.     

以顽固性呃逆和恶心呕吐为首发症状的视神经脊髓炎临床分析

目的 研究以顽固性呃逆和恶心呕吐(IHN)为首发症状的视神经脊髓炎(NMO)的临床特点及MRI表现.方法 收集50例NMO患者的临床资料,对其中5例以IHN为首发症状的NMO患者临床表现及MRI特点进行分析.结果 以IHN为首发症状的NMO患者女性多见,发病较晚,头MRI显示病灶主要分布在第三、四脑室,中脑导水管周围及延髓中央管等室管膜周边,脊髓MRI显示线样延髓脊髓损害,病灶常常为大于3个椎体节段,主要累及灰质,以脊髓中央管为中心呈H型分布.结论 IHN是NMO的独特首发症状,并完全可逆,主要累及孤束核和最后区引起IHN.其MRI病灶具有特异性,多分布在室管膜和脊髓中央管周边(即水通道蛋白4的高表达区),呈线样损害.     

视神经脊髓炎与多发性硬化的临床症状、脊髓MRI表现的对比分析

目的 结合视神经脊髓炎(NMO)与多发性硬化(MS)患者的临床症状和脊髓MRI特点探讨两者之间差异发生的机制.方法 回顾性分析中山大学附属第三医院自2004年1月至2007年1月收治的23例NMO患者及21例MS患者的临床资料,比较其临床症状及脊髓MRI上受损部位MRI上的差异.结果 NMO患者多为女性,且首次发病年龄、扩展病残状况评分(EDSS)评分均高于MS患者;双侧深感觉障碍、束带感、直肠或膀胱括约肌功能障碍3种临床症状在NMO、MS患者中的发生率不同,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);上述各临床症状基本能在脊髓MRI找到相应受损病灶.结论 NMO是不同于MS的脱髓鞘疾病,其特殊的发病机制导致其临床症状与脊髓MRI均有自己的特点.     

视神经脊髓炎与多发性硬化的临床表现和视神经脊髓炎IgG抗体阳性率的对比

目的 比较视神经脊髓炎(NMO)和多发性硬化(MS)在临床表现、辅助检查等方面的不同;比较NMO和MS等脱髓鞘疾病患者血清NMO-IgG抗体的阳性率,判断该抗体能否作为鉴别诊断的一项实验室依据.方法 对34例NMO、22例MS、24例高危综合征、5例临床孤立综合征以及35例其他神经科疾病患者进行NMO-IgG检测,并对其中NMO、MS患者的人口学、临床表现、免疫学指标、脑脊液、头颅MRI等资料进行对比.结果 NMO的起病年龄较MS大且年龄跨度更广;从年复发率和进展指数来看,NMO更为严重,预后更差;NMO长节段脊髓损害者比MS多.NMO-IgG在NMO组和高危综合征组的阳性率分别为58.8%(20/34)和45.8%(11/24),高于MS组(1/22)、临床孤立综合征组(1/5)和其他疾病组(1/35;X2=37.2,P<0.01).NMO-IgG阳性率与脊髓病变长度相关.结论 NMO和MS在临床表现、辅助检查等方面都有所不同,提示NMO与MS可能是2种不同的疾病.NMO-IgG在NMO患者中的阳性率高于MS患者,可以作为鉴别诊断的一项实验室依据.     

视神经脊髓炎的临床特征

目的探讨视神经脊髓炎(NMO)的临床特征。方法回顾分析18例NMO患者的临床资料。结果本组复发型NMO15例(83.3%),女性16例(88.9%),平均发病年龄36岁。所有患者双眼同时或先后出现视力减退,均有横贯性脊髓损害表现。MRI检查显示病灶位于颈髓4例、胸髓6例、颈、胸髓均受累5例,脊髓病灶长度≥3个椎体13例,出现脑部病灶6例。本组每例发病次数平均5次,遗留轻度功能残疾7例、中度功能残疾7例、重度功能残疾2例,死亡2例。结论NMO以复发型多见,女性多见,以双侧视神经受累及长节段脊髓炎为主要临床表现,部分患者出现脑部病灶。NMO复发率高,预后较差。     

早期多发性硬化和视神经脊髓炎高危综合征临床特点的比较

目的 比较早期多发性硬化(MS)和视神经脊髓炎(NMO)高危综合征患者的临床特点差异. 方法 回顾性收集广州医科大学附属第二医院神经内科自2004年1月至2013年8月收治的早期MS患者49例和NMO高危综合征患者30例(包括长节段的横贯性脊髓炎22例、复发性视神经炎8例)的临床资料、影像学检查结果、血清中NMO-IgG抗体情况等进行分析和比较. 结果 早期MS患者和NMO高危综合征患者的EDSS评分、病程以及感觉症状、脑干症状比例比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).早期MS组患者中病灶数＞9个的比例(77.6％)高于NMO高危综合征组患者,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).NMO高危综合征组患者在脑脊液蛋白异常率(19例,63.3％)、蛋白水平[(0.57±0.45) g/L]以及脑脊液白细胞计数异常率(19例,63.3％)、白细胞计数[中位数为24.317个/mm3 (0～274个)]方面与早期MS患者组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).10例NMO高危综合征患者中6例长节段横贯性脊髓炎患者NMO-IgG阳性,13例早期MS患者中2例出现阳性反应,阳性率比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05). 结论 早期MS患者和NMO高危综合症的临床特点明显不同,这些差异对早期鉴别MS与NMO具有一定意义.     

视神经脊髓炎与多发性硬化的临床表现和视神经脊髓炎IgG抗体阳性率的对比

目的 比较视神经脊髓炎(NMO)和多发性硬化(MS)在临床表现、辅助检查等方面的不同;比较NMO和MS等脱髓鞘疾病患者血清NMO-IgG抗体的阳性率,判断该抗体能否作为鉴别诊断的一项实验室依据.方法 对34例NMO、22例MS、24例高危综合征、5例临床孤立综合征以及35例其他神经科疾病患者进行NMO-IgG检测,并对其中NMO、MS患者的人口学、临床表现、免疫学指标、脑脊液、头颅MRI等资料进行对比.结果 NMO的起病年龄较MS大且年龄跨度更广;从年复发率和进展指数来看,NMO更为严重,预后更差;NMO长节段脊髓损害者比MS多.NMO-IgG在NMO组和高危综合征组的阳性率分别为58.8%(20/34)和45.8%(11/24),高于MS组(1/22)、临床孤立综合征组(1/5)和其他疾病组(1/35;X2=37.2,P<0.01).NMO-IgG阳性率与脊髓病变长度相关.结论 NMO和MS在临床表现、辅助检查等方面都有所不同,提示NMO与MS可能是2种不同的疾病.NMO-IgG在NMO患者中的阳性率高于MS患者,可以作为鉴别诊断的一项实验室依据.     

视神经脊髓炎与多发性硬化的临床表现和视神经脊髓炎IgG抗体阳性率的对比

目的 比较视神经脊髓炎(NMO)和多发性硬化(MS)在临床表现、辅助检查等方面的不同;比较NMO和MS等脱髓鞘疾病患者血清NMO-IgG抗体的阳性率,判断该抗体能否作为鉴别诊断的一项实验室依据.方法 对34例NMO、22例MS、24例高危综合征、5例临床孤立综合征以及35例其他神经科疾病患者进行NMO-IgG检测,并对其中NMO、MS患者的人口学、临床表现、免疫学指标、脑脊液、头颅MRI等资料进行对比.结果 NMO的起病年龄较MS大且年龄跨度更广;从年复发率和进展指数来看,NMO更为严重,预后更差;NMO长节段脊髓损害者比MS多.NMO-IgG在NMO组和高危综合征组的阳性率分别为58.8%(20/34)和45.8%(11/24),高于MS组(1/22)、临床孤立综合征组(1/5)和其他疾病组(1/35;X2=37.2,P<0.01).NMO-IgG阳性率与脊髓病变长度相关.结论 NMO和MS在临床表现、辅助检查等方面都有所不同,提示NMO与MS可能是2种不同的疾病.NMO-IgG在NMO患者中的阳性率高于MS患者,可以作为鉴别诊断的一项实验室依据.     

急性播散性脑脊髓炎、多发性硬化及视神经脊髓炎脑深部灰质病灶MRI影像比较

目的 探讨并比较急性播散性脑脊髓炎(ADEM)、多发性硬化(MS)及视神经脊髓炎(NMO)脑深部灰质病灶的MRI影像学特征. 方法 自2004年8月至2012年10月在中山大学附属第三医院神经内科住院的ADEM、MS、NMO患者共353例,筛选出其中MRI显示有脑深部灰质病灶者95例(包括ADEM 12例,MS 60例,NMO 23例),对这些病灶的大小、数量、部位等特征进行分析. 结果 3组患者丘脑、尾状核、苍白球受累的病例数比例比较差异均无统计学意义(P=0.154,P=0.438,P=0.697).ADEM组壳核受累的病例数比例明显高于MS组、NMO组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.002,P=0.013).NMO组下丘脑受累的病例数比例则明显高于ADEM组、MS组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.033,P=0.001).ADEM组丘脑的病灶直径明显大于NMO组,差异有统计学意义(P=0.027),但和MS组相比差异无统计学意义(P=0.116),而MS组和NMO组丘脑的病灶直径比较差异亦无统计学意义(P=0.209).3组尾状核、壳核、苍白球、下丘脑的病灶直径比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).3组的病灶分布对称性比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.335). 结论 丘脑受累对于ADEM和MS的鉴别诊断可能意义不大,壳核受累可能是将ADEM区别于MS和NMO的一个鉴别点,下丘脑受累是NMO的特异性表现.病灶直径大小在这三种疾病的鉴别诊断中价值不大.     

Neuromyelitis optica

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), otherwise known as Devic's disease, is an idiopathic, severe, inflammatory disorder that preferentially affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. Clinical, laboratory and immunopathological evidence suggests that NMO is a humorally mediated disease distinct from MS. A spinal cord lesion extending contiguously over three or more vertebral segments is characteristic of NMO and, in combination with a cranial magnetic resonance imaging scan that does not meet radiological criteria for MS, is over 94% sensitive and 96% specific for NMO diagnosis. The serum autoantibody marker, neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G (NMO-IgG), appears specific for NMO and suggests that the disease spectrum includes cases of recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and Japanese opticospinal MS. Its target antigen is the water channel aquaporin-4, suggesting that NMO may represent a novel autoimmune channelopathy. Relapsing NMO has a poor prognosis; therapy, typically with immunosuppression, is necessary as early as possible in the disease course to prevent attack-related disability.     

Neuroradiological aspects of Devic's neuromyelitis optica

INTRODUCTION: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare inflammatory and demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system, restricted to optical nerves and spinal cord. The main neuroradiological aspects, now summarized into a complete set of diagnosis criteria, are a normal cerebral MRI at onset and longitudinal involvement of the spinal cord concerning more than 3 vertebral segments. The clinical course and frequency of typical lesions remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: We here report neuroradiological data from patients suffering from NMO. METHODS: Brain and spinal cord MRI were systematically reviewed for 32 afro-Caribbean patients. RESULTS: A typical longitudinal spinal lesion was seen in 44.7 percent with or without edema; a lesion involving less than 3 vertebral segments in 26.3 percent and no lesion in 21.1 percent. Longitudinal study of a few bouts suggested a progressive normalisation of spinal cord appearance. Atrophy was negatively correlated with immunosuppressive treatment. Cerebral lesions usually absent at onset were correlated to the follow-up. In a non-recursive condition, patients completed diagnostic criteria for encephalic and spinal lesions in 82.8 percent and 48.1 percent. CONCLUSION: Radiology of spinal bouts showed multiple aspects besides the typical form. The notion of multiple bouts must be added to the spinal criteria to achieve good sensitivity. A typical extensive spinal lesion is usual in the follow-up, but seen after less then half of the bouts. Requiring such a lesion would delay the diagnosis.     

Disseminated encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis: two different diseases - a critical review

The practice of initiating immunomodulatory treatment immediately after a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) emphasizes the need to distinguish between disseminated encephalomyelitis (DEM) and MS. Their clinical, genetic, imaging, and histopathological characteristics establish that they are distinct disease entities. Acute and recurrent DEM are more common in children, but also occur in adults. DEM is polysymptomatic and includes signs and symptoms rarely encountered in MS, such as fever, alterations of the state of consciousness, cognitive and aphasic symptoms, and meningism. Cerebrospinal oligoclonal bands are rare. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best means of distinguishing between DEM and MS. In the former, the lesion load is heavy, thalamus or basal ganglia are often affected, and early in the disease most of the lesions are usually larger than those of MS and enhance with gadolinium. The MRI spinal cord lesions are longer than three vertebral segments, and define neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Antibodies against aquaporin-4 are present in some NMO, but are also found in cases of MS and DEM. Most NMO are forms of DEM, not MS, and are identical with the 'Oriental' or 'optico-spinal' form of MS.     

Devic's neuromyelitis optica: a critical review

Devic's neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating and necrotizing disease characterized by predominant involvement of the optic nerves and spinal cord. In Asian countries relapsing NMO has been known as opticospinal multiple sclerosis. It has long been debated if NMO is a variant of multiple sclerosis (MS) or a distinct disease. Recent studies have shown that NMO has more frequently a relapsing course, and results from attack to aquaporin-4 which is the dominant water channel in the central nervous system, located in foot processes of the astrocytes. Distinctive pathological features of NMO include perivascular deposition of IgG and complement in the perivascular space, granulocyte and eosinophil infiltrates and hyalinization of the vascular walls. These features distinguish NMO from other demyelinating diseases such as MS and acute demyelinating encephalomyelopathy. An IgG-antibody that binds to aquaporin-4, named NMO-IgG has high sensitivity and specificity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have revealed that more frequently there is a long spinal cord lesion that extends through three or more vertebral segments in length. Brain MRI lesions atypical for MS are found in the majority of cases. Treatment in the acute phase includes intravenous steroids and plasma exchange therapy. Immunosupressive agents are recommended for prophylaxis of relapses.     

The clinical course of neuromyelitis optica (Devic's syndrome).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the spectrum of neuromyelitis optica (NMO), including characteristics of the index events (optic neuritis [ON]) and myelitis), neuroimaging, CSF, and serologic studies, and to evaluate the long-term course. METHODS: Review of 71 patients with NMO evaluated at the Mayo Clinic between 1950 and 1997. RESULTS: NMO was either monophasic or relapsing. Patients with a monophasic course (n = 23) usually presented with rapidly sequential index events (median 5 days) with moderate recovery. Most with a relapsing course (n = 48) had an extended interval between index events (median 166 days) followed within 3 years by clusters of severe relapses isolated to the optic nerves and spinal cord. Most relapsing patients developed severe disability in a stepwise manner, and one-third died because of respiratory failure. Features of NMO distinct from "typical" MS included >50 cells/mm3 in CSF (often polymorphonuclear), normal initial brain MRI, and lesions extending over three or more vertebral segments on spinal cord MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical, laboratory, and imaging features generally distinguish neuromyelitis optica from MS. Patients with relapsing optic neuritis and myelitis may have neuromyelitis optica rather than MS. Patients with a relapsing course of neuromyelitis optica have a poor prognosis and frequently develop respiratory failure during attacks of cervical myelitis.     

Preferential spinal central gray matter involvement in neuromyelitis optica

Objective To delineate the MRI features that distinguish neuromyelitis optica (NMO) from multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods We compared the distribution of the spinal cord lesions by analyzing 1) lesion area, 2) lesion density (by superimposing the lesions onto the standard sections of the cervical and thoracic cord with appropriate transparencies using computer software), and 3) T1-hypointensity in axial sections of MRI in NMO and MS. Results In NMO, 60–70% of the cervical and thoracic cord MRI lesions occupied more than half of the cord area and mainly involved the central gray matter in the acute stage. In the chronic stage, half or more of the lesions were localized at the central gray matter region. The lesion superimposition analysis also revealed much higher densities in the central gray matter region than in the peripheral white matter regions. Two patients with NMO had T1-hypointense lesions in the central region. In contrast, over 80% of the lesions in MS were localized in the lateral and posterior white matter regions of the cord in the chronic as well as acute stage. Lesion densities were much higher in the lateral and posterior white matter regions than in the central gray matter region. None of the lesions in MS were T1-hypointense. Conclusions These MRI findings strongly suggest a preferential involvement in the spinal central gray matter in NMO which is distinct from MS.     

Spectrum disorder of neuromyelitis optica in a patient presenting with intractable vomiting and hiccups,transverse myelitis and acute encephalopathy

Optic neuropathy and transverse myelitis (TM) are common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) but may also be seen in association with the antibody-mediated autoimmune disorder, neuromyelitis optica (NMO). We report a female patient presenting with intractable vomiting and hiccups and TM shortly followed by an acute encephalopathy, most likely due to NMO spectrum disorder. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid NMO antibodies were negative. Serial MRI abnormalities included longitudinally extensive TM of the cervical cord, focal T2-weighted hyperintensity of the area postrema and lesions in both thalami and the hypothalamus. Clinical and MRI involvement of these brain regions, which have high aquaporin expression, in conjunction with a spinal lesion extending over three vertebral segments strongly favoured a diagnosis of NMO. She required several courses of intravenous methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis before receiving intravenous rituximab therapy. NMO spectrum disorder should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical central nervous system presentations such as intractable vomiting and hiccups and acute encephalopathy. Recognition of this syndrome has significant implications as its treatment and prognosis differs from MS.     

Brain abnormalities in neuromyelitis optica

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe demyelinating disease defined principally by its tendency to selectively affect optic nerves and the spinal cord causing recurrent attacks of blindness and paralysis. Contemporary diagnostic criteria require absence of clinical disease outside the optic nerve or spinal cord. We have, however, frequently encountered patients with a well-established diagnosis of NMO in whom either asymptomatic or symptomatic brain lesions develop suggesting that the diagnostic criteria for NMO should be revised. OBJECTIVE: To describe the magnetic resonance image (MRI) brain findings in NMO. DESIGN: Observational, retrospective case series.Patients We ascertained patients through a clinical biospecimens database of individuals with definite or suspected NMO. We included patients who (1) satisfied the 1999 criteria of Wingerchuk et al for NMO except for the absolute criterion of lacking symptoms beyond the optic nerve and spinal cord and the supportive criterion of having a normal brain MRI at onset; (2) had MRI evidence of a spinal cord lesion extending 3 vertebral segments or more (the most specific nonserological feature to differentiate NMO from MS); and (3) were evaluated neurologically and by brain MRI at the Mayo Clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Magnetic resonance images were classified as normal or as abnormal with either nonspecific, multiple sclerosis-like or atypical abnormalities. We evaluated whether brain lesions were symptomatic and analyzed the neuropathologic features of a single brain biopsy specimen. RESULTS: Sixty patients (53 women [88%]) fulfilled these inclusion criteria. The mean +/- SD age at onset was 37.2 +/- 18.4 years and the mean +/- SD duration of follow-up was 6.0 +/- 5.6 years. Neuromyelitis optica-IgG was detected in 41 patients (68%). Brain MRI lesions were detected in 36 patients (60%). Most were nonspecific, but 6 patients (10%) had multiple sclerosis-like lesions, usually asymptomatic. Another 5 patients (8%), mostly children, had diencephalic, brainstem or cerebral lesions, atypical for multiple sclerosis. When present, symptoms of brain involvement were subtle, except in 1 patient who was comatose and had large cerebral lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic brain lesions are common in NMO, and symptomatic brain lesions do not exclude the diagnosis of NMO. These observations justify revision of diagnostic criteria for NMO to allow for brain involvement.     

多发性硬化脊髓受累临床与MRI对照研究

目的分析多发性硬化脊髓受累患者临床表现及MRI影像学特点,并探讨其临床诊断意义。方法回顾分析2006年1月-2009年12月住院治疗的46例多发性硬化脊髓受累患者的临床资料及影像学表现。结果起病形式以急性（58.70%,27/46）或亚急性（34.78%,16/46）为主,临床主要表现为肢体瘫痪（95.65%,44/46）、感觉障碍（84.78%,39/46）和尿潴留（67.39%,31/46）。MRI受累部位以颈髓最常见（45.65%21/46）,其次为胸髓（28.26%,13/46）,呈脊髓内单一或散在多发长T₁、长T₂斑片状异常信号影,病灶长度一般不超过2个椎体节段（84.78%,39/46）,个别患者（15.22%,7/46）病灶长度超过2个椎体节段;增强扫描可有不同程度强化（78.26%,36/46）。结论多发性硬化脊髓受累患者临床表现复杂多样,MRI脊髓受累可呈现单一或散在多发病灶,病灶长度较少超过2个椎体节段,但病灶节段延长不能排除多发性硬化。MRI是诊断多发性硬化脊髓受累最敏感和最特异的影像学检查方法。