The cervical spinal cord in neuromyelitis optica patients: a comparative study with multiple sclerosis using diffusion tensor imaging

Introduction

This study aims to evaluate “in vivo” the integrity of the normal-appearing spinal cord in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), using diffusion tensor MR imaging, comparing to controls and patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Materials and methods

We studied 8 patients with NMO and 17 without any neurologic disorder. Also, 32 MS patients were selected. Fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD) and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated within regions of interest at C2 and C7 levels in the four columns of the spinal cord.

Results

At C2, the FA value was decreased in NMO patients compared to MS and controls in the anterior column. Also in this column, RD value showed increase in NMO compared to MS and to controls. The FA value of the posterior column was decreased in NMO in comparison to controls. At C7, AD value was higher in NMO than in MS in the right column. At the same column, MD values were increased in NMO compared to MS and to controls.

Conclusions

There is extensive NASC damage in NMO patients, including peripheral areas of the cervical spinal cord, affecting the white matter, mainly caused by demyelination. This suggests a new spinal cord lesion pattern in NMO in comparison to MS.     

视神经脊髓炎脑部异常的MRI表现及相关危险因素分析

目的 分析视神经脊髓炎(NMO)脑部异常的MRI表现及特征,探讨脑内病灶发生的相关危险因素.方法 对符合2006年Wingerchuk诊断标准的54例NMO患者行脑部MR检查,分析脑部MRI异常患者病灶的分布及信号特点.采用Logistic回归分析评估脑内病灶发生的相关危险因素.结果 54例NMO患者脑部MRI正常24例(44.4%),MRI表现异常30例(55.6%),以多发的皮层下和皮髓质交界区白质小病灶最常见(13/30,43.3%).典型的NMO脑内病灶位于胼胝体、脑室室管膜下、下丘脑及脑干等部位,表现为斑点、斑片及线状异常信号.16例脑部增强检查均未见异常强化病灶.Logistic回归分析显示病程以及合并自身免疫病或前驱感染史与脑部MRI异常有关联(OR=3.519,P＜0.05).结论 NMO患者脑部MRI出现异常信号较常见并有较特异的好发部位.合并系统性自身免疫病或有前驱感染史的NMO患者容易出现脑部MRI异常.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the MRI features of the brain in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and to evaluate the correlation between the brain abnormalities and related risk factors.Methods Fifty-four patients with definite NMO according to 2006 Wingerchuk diagnosis criteria were enrolled in this study. MRI scanning of the brain was performed in these patients. Distribution and signalfeatures of all the lesions were analyzed. A Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors of brain abnormalities. Results Twenty-four NMO patients (44. 4%) showed unremarkable findings and thirty (55.6%) showed abnormalities on brain MRI. Multiple and non-specific small lesions in the subcortical white matter and grey-white matter junction were the most frequent abnormalities on brain MRI (13/30, 43. 3%). Typical lesion locations included corpus callosum, subependyma of ventricles,hypothalamus and brain stem. The lesions showed punctate, patchy and linear abnormal signals. Postcontrast MRI showed no abnormal enhancement in 16 cases. Logistic regression analysis showed that coexisting anto-immune disease or infection history had correlations with abnormalities of the brain on MRI (OR=3.519,P ＜0.05). Conclusions There was a high incidence of brain abnormalities in NMO.Subependymal white matter, corpus callosum, hypothalamus and brain stem were often involved in NMO.NMO patients with coexisting anto-immune disease and infection history had higher risk of brain abnormalities.     

多发性硬化及视神经脊髓炎患者颈髓的扩散张量成像定量研究

目的 运用3.0 T MR DTI技术探讨复发-缓解型多发性硬化(RRMS)患者及复发型视神经脊髓炎(RNMO)患者颈髓结构的改变,以及与临床评分的相关性.方法 应用3.0TMR对30例RRMS(MS组)、28例RNMO患者(NMO组)及20名健康志愿者(对照组)行颈髓DTI,分别测量C2 ～6颈髓中央灰质、右侧索、左侧索和后索等部位的平均扩散率(MD)和部分各向异性分数(FA),并对各测量值和扩展残疾状况量表(EDSS)评分进行相关性分析.统计学分析采用单因素方差分析及Spearman秩相关分析等.结果 (1)3组间MD值在C3水平后索和左侧索、C4水平中央灰质和后索、C5 ～6水平各部位差异具有统计学意义(F值为4.006 ～ 36.814,P值均＜0.05),3组间FA值在各层面差异均具有统计学意义(F值为5.561 ～98.128,P值均＜0.05).(2)MS组、NMO组和对照组两两比较:MS组、NMO组较对照组MD值升高,FA值降低,差异有统计学意义(t值为-0.320～3.138,P值均＜0.05);MS组和NMO组比较,MD值的差异无统计学意义(t值为-1.183 ～0.069,P值均＞0.05);NMO组在C4水平中央灰质、后索、右侧索、左侧索FA值分别为0.57±0.09、0.56±0.11、0.54±0.10、0.57±0.09,C5水平分别为0.55 ±0.11、0.52±0.13、0.55±0.11、0.54±0.13,C6水平分别为0.54±0.10、0.54 ±0.11、0.53 ±0.13、0.52 ±0.11;相对应MS组C4水平FA值为0.67 ±0.10、0.68±0.10、0.68 ±0.10、0.70±0.12,C5水平为0.68 ±0.11、0.69 ±0.10、0.68 ±0.11、0.69 ±0.12,C6水平为0.67±0.14、0.68 ±0.15、0.69±0.14、0.69±0.16,两组间C4 ～6水平FA值差异均有统计学意义(t值为-0.011 ～0.169,P值均＜0.05).(3)除C2及C4水平侧索外,其余各层面MD值同EDSS评分呈正相关(r值为0.324 ～0.541,P值均＜0.05),FA值同EDSS评分呈明显负相关(r值为-0.632 ～-0.294,p值均＜0.05).结论 DTI定量指标对颈髓的脱髓鞘病变敏感,在鉴别MS与NMO上具有潜在的应用价值;并可作为脱髓鞘病变临床监测的重要生物学指标.     

多发性硬化与视神经脊髓炎影像对比研究

目的 比较多发性硬化(MS)与视神经脊髓炎(NMO)的影像特点,以提高对MS与NMO的临床鉴别诊断能力.方法 回顾性分析60例MS及48例NMO患者的头颅及脊髓MRI的影像特点,包括对发病部位、形态特点以及增强扫描表现等进行对比分析,采用SPSS 13.0软件包对所有数据进行统计学处理.统计学方法采用t检验和x2检验.结果 (1)发病部位:MS脑内好发部位依次为:侧脑室旁(34/60)、皮层下白质(27/60)、脑干(23/60),还可累及基底节区、小脑、胼胝体与丘脑,而皮层受累(9/60)也较为常见;59.4％ (19/32)的NMO患者脑内发现病灶,而NMO好发部位依次为:脑干(13/19)、侧脑室周围(12/19)、皮层下白质(7/19),特别是NMO第三脑室周围受累(6/19)以及脑干被盖导水管周围(8/19)病灶在MS未见类似影像,而脑干及丘脑病灶NMO也较MS更为常见(x2值分别为5.267、6.004,P值均＜0.05).(2)形态特点:脊髓MR扫描发现,MS病灶形态以卵圆形居多,并多靠周边且不对称,而NMO则以纵向融合及居中病灶多见;同时在脊髓MS的受累平均节段数为2.2个,显著少于NMO的7.3个(t=-9.288,P＜0.01);而其脊髓病灶数为2.0个,显著多于NMO的1.3个(t=4.565,P＜0.01),差异均有统计学意义;58.3％ (28/48)的NMO脊髓发生肿胀,较MS(21.9％,7/32)更为多见(x2=10.370,P＜0.01).(3)增强扫描表现:头部MS主要表现为环状强化(7/42)、卵圆形强化(6/42)、不规则边缘强化(4/42),而NMO则主要表现为浅淡片状强化(5/11);脊髓MS主要表现为卵圆形强化(16/26)与线状强化(8/26),而NMO病灶较长,以条索状强化(26/35)、淡线状强化(12/35)较常见.结论 NMO与MS影像特点差异显著,有助于两者的临床鉴别.     

MR imaging findings of the corpus callosum region in the differentiation between multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica

Purpose

To evaluate MR imaging findings in corpus callosum region for the discrimination between opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Materials and methods

Forty-two definite OSMS with seronegative NMO-IgG and 23 NMO with seropositive NMO-IgG, and 27 age-matched normal controls (NC) were recruited. Sagittal T2-FLAIR images with 2-mm slice thickness were obtained. Subcallosal dot-dash (SCDD) sign and subcallosal striations (SCS) sign were reviewed.

Results

SCDD was more commonly detected in OSMS (28 of 42 patients) than in NMO (5 of 23 patients) (P < 0.05). SCS showed no difference between OSMS (31 of 42 patients) and NMO (12 of 23 patients) (P > 0.05). For comparing ROC analysis among SCDD, SCS, and SCDD + SCS for predicted probability through binary logistic regression analysis, SCDD + SCS had the largest area under ROC curve (0.777) than SCDD (0.725) and SCS (0.608).

Conclusion

SCDD may be helpful in distinguishing OSMS from NMO. The regression equation may also be a simple and effective method of choice for the differentiation between OSMS and NMO.     

Analysis of brain and spinal cord lesions to occult brain damage in seropositive and seronegative neuromyelitis optica

ObjectivesAccording to aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab), neuromyelitis optica (NMO) can be divided into seropositive and seronegative subgroups. The purpose of this study was to a) compare the distribution of spinal cord and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions between seropositive and seronegative NMO patients; b) explore occult brain damage in seropositive and seronegative NMO patients; and c) explore the contribution of visible lesions to occult grey and white matter damage in seropositive and seronegative NMO patients.Materials and methodsTwenty-two AQP4-Ab seropositive and 14 seronegative NMO patients and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Two neuroradiologists independently measured the brain lesion volume (BLV) and the length of spinal cord lesion (LSCL) and recorded the region of brain lesions. The normal-appearing grey matter volume (NAGM-GMV) and white matter fractional anisotropy (NAWM-FA) were calculated for each subject to evaluate occult brain damage.ResultsThe seropositive patients displayed more extensive damage in the spinal cord than the seronegative patients, and the seronegative group had a higher proportion of patients with brainstem lesions (28.57%) than the seropositive group (4.55%, P = 0.064). Both NMO subgroups exhibited reduced NAGM-GMV and NAWM-FA compared with the healthy controls. NAGM-GMV was negatively correlated with LSCL in the seropositive group (r_s = −0.444, P = 0.044) and with BLV in the seronegative group (r_s = −0.768, P = 0.002). NAWM-FA was also negatively correlated with BLV in the seropositive group (r_s = −0.682, P < 0.001).ConclusionOur findings suggest that the occult brain damage in these two NMO subgroups may be due to different mechanisms, which need to be further clarified.     

多发性硬化与视神经脊髓炎视神经病变MRI对比研究

目的比较多发性硬化(MS)和视神经脊髓炎(NMO)视神经病变的MRI表现差异,探讨其在诊断及鉴别诊断中的价值。方法利用3.0 T磁共振仪对伴有视神经损害的20例MS患者及11例NMO患者行视神经MRI检查,比较MS和NMO视神经病灶断面分布位置,受累视神经的病变节段分布和视神经病变长度的差异。结果MS组视神经病灶周边型的发生率高于NMO,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);NMO受累视神经管内段和颅内段病变发生率高于MS组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);NMO组的视神经病变长度大于MS组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 MS与NMO视神经病变影像上存在明显的差异,视神经MRI在NMO与MS视神经病变的诊断及鉴别诊断方面有较大的临床价值。     

MRI在视神经脊髓炎诊断及随访观察中的应用价值

目的:探讨MRI在视神经脊髓炎诊断及随访观察中的应用价值。方法:回顾性分析14例视神经脊髓炎的临床与MRI表现及影像学系列变化的特点。结果:视神经脊髓炎可相继累及视神经和脊髓,也可同时累及视神经与脊髓,发病初期MRI表现为视神经和脊髓的增粗,T2WI像呈条片状高信号,T1WI上呈等低信号,Gd-DTPA增强可呈不规则强化,治疗后异常信号及异常强化可消失,随访观察病变可反复出现,并可导致视神经和脊髓萎缩变细。结论:MRI能够提供视神经脊髓炎诊断的影像学改变的直接依据,在本病的诊断、鉴别诊断及病变的随访观察中有重要的临床应用价值。     

复发性视神经脊髓炎脑扩散张量成像研究

目的利用扩散张量成像（DTI）探讨复发性视神经脊髓炎（RNMO）患者是否存在隐匿性脑组织损伤及其发生机制。方法对16例RNMO患者和16例性别和年龄匹配的正常志愿者脑组织的平均扩散系数（ND）和部分各向异性（FA）进行直方图和感兴趣区（ROI）分析，以P≤0．005为差异有统计学意义。结果与志愿者比较，RNMO患者脑的平均MD升高[脑组织：RNMO患者（0．95±0．02）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．91±0．03）×10^-3mm^2，t=3．940，P〈0．001；脑白质：RNMO患者（0．82±0．02）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．80±0．02）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=3．117，P=0．004；脑灰质：RNMO患者（1．06±0．04）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．88±0．05）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．031，P〈0．001]、脑白质的FA直方图峰高抬高[RNMO患者（2．61±0．18）‰，志愿者（2．38±0．18）‰，t=3．627，P=0．001]及脑灰质的MD直方图峰高降低[RNMO患者（7．37±0．89）‰，志愿者（8．91±1．71）‰，t=3．210，P=0．003]和峰位置抬高[RNMO患者（0．83±0．02）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．81±0．02）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．373，P〈0．001]；与脊髓和视神经有直接联系ROI的平均MD升高[延髓：RNMO患者（1．27±0．11）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（1．11±0．10）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．260，P〈0．001；大脑脚：RNMO患者（1．01±0．11）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．87±0．05）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．391，P〈0．001；内囊：RNMO患者（0．74±0．01）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．72±0．01）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．683，P〈0．001；视放射：RNMO患者（0．88±0．03）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．82±0．03）×10^-3mm^2／s，t=4．619，P〈0．001）、平均FA降低（延髓：RNMO患者0．27±0．01，志愿者0．29±0．03，t=2．996，P=0．005；大脑脚：RNMO患者0．49±0．04，志愿者0．54±0．03，t=4．280，P〈0．001；内囊：RNMO患者0．66±0．02，志愿者0．69±0．02，t=3．953，P〈0．001；视放射：RNMO患者0．53±0．04，志愿者0．59±0．03，t=4．705，P〈0．001）；而与脊髓和视神经无直接联系的胼胝体的平均MD[膝部：RNMO患者（0．76±0．04）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．73±0．03）×10^-3mm^2／s；压部：RNMO患者（0．77±0．05）×10^-3mm^2／s，志愿者（0．73±0．04）×10^-3mm^2／s]和FA值（膝部：RNMO患者0．82±0．03，志愿者0．82±0．03；压部：RNMO患者0．83±0．03，志愿者0．83±0．02）差异无统计学意义（P值均〉0．005）。结论RNMO患者存在隐匿性脑组织损伤，这可能与继发于脊髓和视神经病灶的顺行和逆行性变性有关。     

基于体素的形态测量学技术在视神经脊髓炎脑改变中的初步应用

目的 通过基于体素的形态测量学(VBM)技术研究视神经脊髓炎(NMO)患者的脑体积变化情况,初步从结构方面探讨NMO的脑损害模式.方法 对23例NMO患者和15名健康志愿者进行脑部3D快速扰相梯度回波(FSPGR)序列扫描.原始数据用统计参数图(SPM)5软件进行处理.采用t检验比较两组全脑体积的差别,应用Pearson相关分析评价全脑体积和年龄的相关性.结果 NMO组患者的全商灰质体积[(610.2±55.0)ml]明显小于健康对照组[(657.2±36.3)ml],差异有统计学意义(t=-2.915,P＜0.05).NMO患者的年龄[(40±9)岁]与脑灰质分数[(42.5±2.6)%]呈负相关(r=-0.673,P＜0.05).局部脑体积分析结果显示,与健康对照组相比,NMO灰质体积减少主要集中在左侧岛叶和双侧后扣带回,白质体积减少区主要位于左侧额叶和左侧顶叶皮层下白质.结论 VBM技术可以敏感地检测NMO的脑体积变化情况.NMO患者的脑体积较健康对照组有减少的趋势,以灰质萎缩更明显.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the changes of brain volumes in neuromyelitis optica (NMO)patients using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) method, and preliminarily explore the pattern of cerebral anatomical impairment. Methods Twenty-three clinically defined NMO patients and 15 gender and age matched healthy volunteers underwent 3-dimensional (3D) fast spoiled gradient echo (FSPGR) sequence scanning on 3.0 Tesla MR systen. Raw data was processed and analyzed using statistical parametric mapping (SPM) 5. Whole brain volumes included grey matter volume (GMV), white matter volume (WMV), total intracranial volume (TIV), grey matter fraction (GMF), white matter fraction (WMF),brain tissue fraction (BTF) and regional brain volumes between the two groups were compared by independent samples t-test and an Pearson were performed to compare the regional brain volumes and the ages. Results GMV of NMO group[(610. 2 ± 55.0) ml] was significantly decreased comparing to healthy control group[(657. 2 ± 36. 3) ml] (t = - 2. 915, P ＜ 0. 05). The age of NMO patients [(40 ± 9) years old] showed negative correlation with GMF [(42. 5 ± 2. 6) %] (r = - 0. 673, P ＜ 0. 05). Regional brain volume analysis showed decreased GMV in left insula and bilateral posterior cingutates in NMO patients,while decreased WMV was found in left frontal and left parietal white matter. Conclusion VBM could detect brain volume changes sensitively. Total grey matter volume in NMO patients was decreased comparing to HC group. Regional grey matter atrophy in NMO patients occurred in left insular and bilateral posterior cingutates, regional white matter atrophy occurred in left frontal and left parietal lobe.     

Abnormal baseline brain activity in patients with neuromyelitis optica: A resting-state fMRI study

Purpose

Recent immunopathologic and MRI findings suggest that tissue damage in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is not limited to spinal cord and optic nerve, but also in brain. Baseline brain activity can reveal the brain functional changes to the tissue damages and give clues to the pathophysiology of NMO, however, it has never been explored by resting-state functional MRI (fMRI). We used regional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) as an index in resting-state fMRI to investigate how baseline brain activity changes in patients with NMO.

Methods

Resting-state fMRIs collected from seventeen NMO patients and seventeen age- and sex-matched normal controls were compared to investigate the ALFF difference between the two groups. The relationships between ALFF in regions with significant group differences and the EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale), disease duration were further explored.

Results

Our results showed that NMO patients had significantly decreased ALFF in precuneus, posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and lingual gyrus; and increased ALFF in middle frontal gyrus, caudate nucleus and thalamus, compared to normal controls. Moderate negative correlations were found between the EDSS and ALFF in the left middle frontal gyrus (r = −0.436, p = 0.040) and the left caudate (r = −0.542, p = 0.012).

Conclusion

The abnormal baseline brain activity shown by resting-state fMRI in NMO is relevant to cognition, visual and motor systems. It implicates a complex baseline brain status of both functional impairments and adaptations caused by tissue damages in these systems, which gives clues to the pathophysiology of NMO.     

Abnormal brain function in neuromyelitis optica: A fMRI investigation of mPASAT

PurposeCognitive impairment with the Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) patients is debated. The present study is to study patterns of brain activation in NMO patients during a pair of task-related fMRI.Materials and methodsWe studied 20 patients with NMO and 20 control subjects matched for age, gender, education and handedness. All patients with NMO met the 2006 Wingerchuk diagnostic criteria. The fMRI paradigm included an auditory attention monitoring task and a modified version of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (mPASAT). Both tasks were temporally and spatially balanced, with the exception of task difficulty.ResultsIn mPASAT, Activation regions in control subjects included bilateral superior temporal gyri (BA22), left inferior frontal gyrus (BA45), bilateral inferior parietal lobule (BA7), left cingulate gyrus (BA32), left insula (BA13), and cerebellum. Activation regions in NMO patients included bilateral superior temporal gyri (BA22), left inferior frontal gyrus (BA9), right cingulate gyrus (BA32), right inferior parietal gyrus (BA40), left insula (BA13) and cerebellum. Some dispersed cognition related regions are greater in the patients.ConclusionsThe present study showed altered cerebral activation during mPASAT in patients with NMO relative to healthy controls. These results are speculated to provide further evidence for brain plasticity in patients with NMO.     

视神经脊髓炎患者视神经扩散张量成像研究

目的 探讨DTI在视神经脊髓炎(NMO)患者视神经病变中的诊断价值.方法 选取28例NMO患者和38名健康志愿者进行视神经DTI扫描,并对视神经眶内段前部、中部及后部进行各向异性分数(FA值)测量.将NMO患者根据视力是否受损及视觉诱发电位(VEP)是否异常分为单眼受累组(10只眼)、双眼受累组(36只眼)及看似正常组(10只眼),所有患者进行扩展残疾状况量表(EDSS)评分.采用单因素方差分析、ROC曲线分析及Spearman相关分析,对各组间FA值及FA值与病程、EDSS评分等的相关性进行分析.结果 各组间FA值比较差异有统计学意义(F=43.54,P＜0.01).其中,单眼受累组(0.29±0.08)、双眼受累组(0.27±0.08)及看似正常组视神经(0.35±0.13)FA值较正常对照组(0.45±0.07)减低,差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.01),双眼受累组FA值较看似正常组FA值减低(P＜0.01).ROC曲线分析显示正常对照组与单眼受累组、双眼受累组、看似正常组以及全部NMO患者组曲线下面积分别为0.92、0.95、0.74及0.91,其诊断视神经受损的敏感度分别为80％、86％、50％及79％,特异度均为95％.相关性分析显示FA值与NMO患者各组EDSS评分均无相关性,FA值与双眼受累组病程呈负相关(r=-0.371,P＜0.05).结论 NMO患者视神经均存在不同程度的损害,视神经DTI可以简单有效地定量评估NMO患者视神经的损害.     

应用基于体素的形态测量学方法分析视神经脊髓炎患者的脑体积变化

目的 应用基于体素的形态测量学方法(VBM)比较视神经脊髓炎(NMO)患者和正常志愿者局部脑灰质和白质的体积差异,并分析脑体积变化与临床指标的相关性.方法 对20例NMO患者和20例性别、年龄匹配的健康志愿者进行常规MRI和三维结构像扫描,采用统计参数图(SPM)5的VBM工具对NMO组及对照组数据进行分析,比较两组之间脑灰质和白质体积的差异.利用Pearson相关分析脑灰、白质异常的区域与患者病程和临床评分的相关性.结果 与对照组相比,NMO患者右侧额下回(体素数514)、左侧颞上回(282)、右侧颞中回(229)及右侧岛叶(211)等多个灰质脑区体积减小(t值为3.58～5.11,P值均＜0.05);NMO患者右侧中央前回、后回(体素数457、110)、左侧额中回(285)及右侧顶下小叶(231)等多个皮层下白质脑区体积减小(t值为2.90～4.25,P值均＜0.05).NMO脑灰、白质体积异常的区域与临床病程及残疾状态评分均无明显相关性.结论 应用VBM方法能发现NMO患者灰、白质局部脑区的萎缩,为NMO脑结构异常提供影像证据.     

视神经脊髓炎视觉通路损害的影像研究

视神经脊髓炎（NMO）是以复发性炎性脱髓鞘为特征的中枢神经系统自身免疫性疾病,主要累及视神经和脊髓。视神经炎是NMO病人典型的临床表现之一,其视觉损害通常很严重且复发率高,预后很差。多项研究显示,NMO病人存在视觉通路多个部位广泛受累,而损伤机制目前仍不十分明确。NMO视觉通路的影像研究有助于对该病损伤机制的理解,现对NMO视觉通路的传统MRI、多种MRI新技术及光学相干断层成像等方面的研究进展予以综述。      

视神经脊髓炎脑部及脊髓影像学特征

目的探讨视神经脊髓炎(neuromyelitis optica,NMO)患者脑部及脊髓MRI影像学表现及特征。方法回顾性分析符合2006年Wingerchuk诊断标准23例NMO患者的脑部、脊髓MRI表现,分析NMO患者脑部及脊髓病灶的分布及信号特点。结果典型的NMO脑内病灶位于脑室室管膜下、下丘脑及脑干等部位,表现为斑点、斑片及线状异常信号。5例脑部增强检查均未见异常强化病灶。NMO患者脊髓常呈长节段横贯性或次横贯性损伤,且以脊髓中央灰质受累为主,可见线样征。结论 NMO患者脊髓及脑部MRI出现异常信号有较特异的好发部位,病灶的分布有其自身特征。     

Post COVID-19 vaccination neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: Case report & MRI findings

There are rising concerns among the medical community and the public regarding the side effects of different vaccines developed throughout the world and their short and long-term effects, particularly COVID19 vaccines. Most notably, post-vaccination demyelinating diseases such as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, transverse myelitis, and multiple sclerosis relapses have been reported. We present a case of a 32-year-old male who presented with a 2 weeks history of acute confusional state and imbalance 1 week after receiving the second dose of COVID19 vaccination. MRI findings showed typical distribution of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and the patient was positive for AQP4 IgG. The pathogenesis behind developing neuromyelitis optica and vaccines is still unknown. Few case reports have been reported of post-vaccination neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder but to our knowledge, this would be the first case published of neuromyelitis optica following exposure to COVID19 vaccine.     

Comparison of grey matter atrophy between patients with neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis: a voxel-based morphometry study

Purpose

Previous studies have established regional grey matter (GM) loss in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, whether there is any regional GM atrophy in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and the difference between NMO and MS is unclear. The present study addresses this issue by voxel-based morphometry (VBM).

Methods

Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and T1-weighted three-dimensional MRI were obtained from 26 NMO patients, 26 relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) patients, and 26 normal controls. An analysis of covariance model assessed with cluster size inference was used to compare GM volume among three groups. The correlations of GM volume changes with disease duration, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and brain T2 lesion volume (LV) were analyzed.

Results

GM atrophy was found in NMO patients in several regions of frontal, temporal, parietal lobes and insula (uncorrected, p < 0.001). While extensive GM atrophy was found in RRMS patients, including most cortical regions and the deep grey matter (corrected for multiple comparisons, p < 0.01). Compared with NMO, those with RRMS had significant GM loss in bilateral thalami, caudate, left parahippocampal gyrus, right hippocampus and insula (corrected, p < 0.01). In RRMS group, regional GM loss in right caudate and bilateral thalami were strongly correlated with brain T2LV.

Conclusions

Our study found the difference of GM atrophy between NMO and RRMS patients mainly in deep grey matter. The correlational results suggested axonal degeneration from lesions on T2WI may be a key pathogenesis of atrophy in deep grey matter in RRMS.     

Serial quantitative MR assessment of optic neuritis in a case of neuromyelitis optica,using Gadolinium-“enhanced” STIR imaging

Summary A patient is presented with neuromyelitis optica. MR imaging, using a short inversion time inversion recovery (STIR) technique, clearly depicted the lesion in the left optic nerve. Subsequent serial STIR imaging, with and without Gadolinium-DTPA, allowed quantitative assessment of changes parallel to improved optic nerve function. STIR imaging is a sensitive technique to demonstrate optic nerve lesions, and enables quantitative assessment to be made of the effect of (steroid) medication.