New-Onset Right-Sided Numbness and Double Vision

2021 ◽  
pp. 14-16
Author(s):  
W. Oliver Tobin

A 40-year-old right-handed man sought care for right hand numbness, right-sided facial numbness, and diplopia progressing to maximal severity over 10 days. At his worst he was unable to write. His symptoms remained maximal for 4 weeks. He was hospitalized and treated with 5 days of intravenous methylprednisolone. He improved to approximately 95% of normal over 4 weeks. He had residual mild right-sided facial and right leg numbness. Antibodies to JC polyoma virus and varicella-zoster virus were positive, which indicated prior exposure to these viruses. Total 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was low at 8.2 ng/mL. Optical coherence tomography findings were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain performed 3 months after the onset of symptoms demonstrated a T2-hyperintense lesion in the left midbrain peduncle extending into the upper pons, without gadolinium enhancement. A small area of T2 hyperintensity was seen in the right frontal deep white matter. Follow-up brain magnetic resonance imaging showed almost complete resolution of the left midbrain peduncle lesion with persistence of the right frontal deep white matter lesion. Spinal fluid analysis showed 1 white blood cell/µL with 95% lymphocytes, protein 35 mg/dL, 0 unique oligoclonal bands, and normal immunoglobulin G index (0.54). A diagnosis of clinically isolated syndrome-first episode of multiple sclerosis was made. After detailed discussion with the patient, he elected to commence disease-modifying therapy with fingolimod. He underwent routine monitoring with magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cervical and thoracic spine on an annual basis, without any further relapses at 5-year follow-up. Patients with typical demyelinating syndromes may not always fulfill the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis. After careful exclusion of other mimicking conditions, most notably aquaporin-4-immunoglobulin G– and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-immunoglobulin G–associated disease, a diagnosis of clinically isolated syndrome may be made.

2011 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Forn ◽  
MA Rocca ◽  
P Valsasina ◽  
I Boscá ◽  
B Casanova ◽  
...  

Background/Objective: To assess whether abnormalities on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are related to cognitive function in patients at presentation with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of multiple sclerosis. Methods: Eighteen patients with CIS and 15 healthy controls (HCs) performed an adapted fMRI version of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT). According to their PASAT performance, CIS patients were divided into two groups: 10 with a low PASAT performance (<1 SD from the mean value of HCs) were considered ‘cognitive impairment’ (CI); eight patients were defined as ‘cognitively preserved’ (CP). Between-group differences in the patterns of brain activations and effective connectivity were assessed. Results: During PASAT, compared to HCs, CIS patients showed increased activations of the bilateral inferior parietal lobe (IPL), bilateral precuneus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus (MFG), left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), left claustrum, right thalamus and right caudate nucleus. When CIS patients were analyzed, the CI group had a more significant activation of the bilateral IPL than HCs and CP patients. Compared to CP patients, they also had more significant recruitment of the right superior parietal lobe, right cerebellum, left MFG and left ACC. The analysis of effective connectivity showed stronger connections between several regions of the right hemisphere involved in working memory function in CI patients versus CP and HC. Conclusions: During performance of the PASAT, CIS patients show abnormalities in the patterns of cortical recruitment and connectivity related to the level of their cognitive impairment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 758-766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae-Won Hyun ◽  
So-Young Huh ◽  
Woojun Kim ◽  
Min Su Park ◽  
Suk-Won Ahn ◽  
...  

Objectives: We compared validity of 2010 McDonald and newly proposed 2016 Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (MAGNIMS) criteria for dissemination in space (DIS) in predicting the conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). Methods: Between 2006 and 2016, we enrolled 170 patients who had a first clinical event suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) from seven referral hospitals in Korea. Patients were classified into two groups based on the main outcome at the last follow-up: CDMS converters, who experienced a second attack, and non-converters. Results: Of 170 patients with mean follow-up duration of 54 months, 51% converted to CDMS. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values of 2010 McDonald criteria were 70.9%, 63.1%, 67.1%, 66.3%, and 67.9%, and those for 2016 MAGNIMS criteria were 88.4%, 46.4%, 67.7%, 62.8%, and 79.6%, respectively. When we excluded 80 patients who underwent disease-modifying therapy before the second clinical event, the specificity increased to 92.3% and 84.6%, but the sensitivity decreased to 58.8% and 82.4% for 2010 McDonald and 2016 MAGNIMS criteria, respectively. Conclusion: 2016 MAGNIMS magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria for DIS showed higher sensitivity but lower specificity than 2010 McDonald criteria in predicting conversion to CDMS in CIS patients.


2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Sastre-Garriga ◽  
M Tintoré ◽  
A Rovira ◽  
E Grivé ◽  
I Pericot ◽  
...  

B ackground and aim: C onversion to multiple sclerosis (MS) after optic neuritis and myelitis has been thoroughly studied; however, limited data are available regarding conversion to MS after a clinically isolated syndrome of the brainstem (CISB). The aim of this study was to investigate conversion to MS in patients with C ISB. Methods: Fifty-one patients with C ISB were prospectively studied. C ranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), determination of oligoclonal bands (OBs) in the cerebrospinal fluid (C SF) and evoked potentials (EPs) were performed. Based on conversion to MS at follow-up, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and positive and negative predictive values of these tests were calculated. Results: C linically definite MS developed in 18 (35%) patients after a mean follow-up of 37 months. Paty’s MRI criteria showed a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 52% and an accuracy of 65%; Fazekas’ criteria showed a sensitivity of 89%, a specificity of 48% and an accuracy of 63%; Barkhof’s criteria showed a sensitivity of 78%, a specificity of 61% and an accuracy of 67%. The presence of O Bs in the C SF showed a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 42% and an accuracy of 63%. No differences for neurophysiological parameters were found between patients who did and those who did not convert to MS. C onclusion: Fulfilling Paty’s, Fazekas’ or Barkhof’s MRI criteria and the presence of O Bs in the C SF are associated with a higher risk of conversion to MS in patients with C ISB. Determinatio n of O Bs in the C SF has the greatest sensitivity of all tests. Barkhof’s MRI criteria have greater specificity (although less than previously published for mixed cohorts of clinically isolated syndromes) in predicting conversion to MS for C ISB than either Paty’s or Fazekas’ criteria.


2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 492-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
E T Lim ◽  
T Berger ◽  
M Reindl ◽  
C M Dalton ◽  
K Fernando ◽  
...  

This study investigates whether the presence of serum and plasma anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and anti-myelin basic protein (MBP) in patients presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome compatible with demyelination (CIS) predicts early conversion to multiple sclerosis (MS). Forty-seven patients with CIS (46 with optic neuritis) had anti-MOG and anti-MBP antibodies analysed at baseline, and clinical and magnetic resonance imaging assessments. There was no evidence that the MS status based on either the McDonald or Poser criteria relates to the antibody status.


2021 ◽  
pp. 20-21
Author(s):  
Samantha A. Banks ◽  
Eoin P. Flanagan

A 59-year-old White man with a history of excised basal and squamous cell skin cancers was evaluated for gait difficulties. He had erectile dysfunction but no bowel or bladder dysfunction. He also reported fatigue. He began using a cane for ambulation 2 weeks before evaluation at our facility. His medications included vitamin D and sildenafil. He was a lifelong nonsmoker and had no family history of multiple sclerosis. Neurologic examination at the time of our evaluation 3 years after onset was notable for a positive Hoffman sign on the right and mild weakness of the right triceps but preserved strength elsewhere. He had a spastic gait with moderate spasticity in both lower extremities, hyperreflexic patellar and ankle jerks bilaterally, and bilateral positive Babinski sign. The remainder of the examination was essentially normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a single lesion at the cervicomedullary junction and medullary pyramids, more prominent on the right. There was also some accompanying atrophy that was also visible on cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging. Results of cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed a normal white blood cell count, increased protein concentration (108 mg/dL), and positive oligoclonal bands. The progressive nature of his symptoms, spinal fluid results, and lesion appearance were all consistent with a diagnosis of progressive solitary sclerosis. At the time this patient was seen, no immunomodulatory medications for progressive solitary sclerosis were approved, so no immunomodulatory medication was tried. Ongoing symptomatic management was recommended. Progressive solitary sclerosis is a rare variant of multiple sclerosis in which patients have a single central nervous system demyelinating lesion and development of motor progression attributable to that lesion. Patients can initially have a clinical episode followed by progression or can have a progressive course without an initial relapse.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomas Uher ◽  
Manuela Vaneckova ◽  
Lukas Sobisek ◽  
Michaela Tyblova ◽  
Zdenek Seidl ◽  
...  

Background: Disease progression and treatment efficacy vary among individuals with multiple sclerosis. Reliable predictors of individual disease outcomes are lacking. Objective: To examine the accuracy of the early prediction of 12-year disability outcomes using clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters. Methods: A total of 177 patients from the original Avonex-Steroids-Azathioprine study were included. Participants underwent 3-month clinical follow-ups. Cox models were used to model the associations between clinical and MRI markers at baseline or after 12 months with sustained disability progression (SDP) over the 12-year observation period. Results: At baseline, T2 lesion number, T1 and T2 lesion volumes, corpus callosum (CC), and thalamic fraction were the best predictors of SDP (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.7–4.6; p ⩽ 0.001–0.012). At 12 months, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and its change, number of new or enlarging T2 lesions, and CC volume % change were the best predictors of SDP over the follow-up (HR = 1.7–3.5; p ⩽  0.001–0.017). A composite score was generated from a subset of the best predictors of SDP. Scores of ⩾4 had greater specificity (90%–100%) and were associated with greater cumulative risk of SDP (HR = 3.2–21.6; p < 0.001) compared to the individual predictors. Conclusion: The combination of established MRI and clinical indices with MRI volumetric predictors improves the prediction of SDP over long-term follow-up and may provide valuable information for therapeutic decisions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 205521732090248
Author(s):  
Cecilie Jacobsen ◽  
Robert Zivadinov ◽  
Kjell-Morten Myhr ◽  
Turi O Dalaker ◽  
Ingvild Dalen ◽  
...  

Background Multiple sclerosis is often associated with unemployment. The contribution of grey matter atrophy to unemployment is unclear. Objectives To identify magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers of grey matter and clinical symptoms associated with unemployment in multiple sclerosis patients. Methods Demographic, clinical data and 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging scans were collected in 81 patients at the time of inclusion and after 5 and 10 years. Global and tissue-specific volumes were calculated at each time point. Statistical analysis was performed using a mixed linear model. Results At baseline 31 (38%) of the patients were unemployed, at 5-year follow-up 44 (59%) and at 10-year follow-up 34 (81%) were unemployed. The unemployed patients had significantly lower subcortical deep grey matter volume ( P < 0.001), specifically thalamus, pallidus, putamen and hippocampal volumes, and cortical volume ( P = 0.011); and significantly greater T1 ( P < 0.001)/T2 ( P < 0.001) lesion volume than the employed patient group at baseline. Subcortical deep grey matter volumes, and to a lesser degree cortical volume, were significantly associated with unemployment throughout the follow-up. Conclusion We found significantly greater atrophy of subcortical deep grey matter and cortical volume at baseline and during follow-up in the unemployed patient group. Atrophy of subcortical deep grey matter showed a stronger association to unemployment than atrophy of cortical volume during the follow-up.


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