A comparative evaluation of different NeuroMyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder sets criteria

Background Three different sets of criteria have been proposed for the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). OBJECTIVE To compare the specificity, sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of the three different sets of NMOSD criteria, in patients presenting with inflammatory disorders of the central nervous system suggestive of NMOSD. Methods From 236 suspected NMOSD referred for serum AQP4-IgG testing between 2012 and 2014, the three sets of NMOSD criteria (1999, 2006 NMO criteria and 2015 International Panel for NMO Diagnosis criteria) were applied and compared to the final diagnosis. Results Seventy-six patients fulfilled at least one set of criteria and 28 patients fulfilled all NMOSD set of criteria. The final diagnosis was NMOSD in 66 cases, MS according to the MacDonald 2010 in 85 cases and another diagnosis in 85 cases. 2006 NMO criteria has the highest specificity (99%) and 2015 IPND NMOSD criteria, the highest sensitivity (97%). For the 1999, 2006 and 2015 IPND NMOSD criteria, the accuracy was respectively 82%, 87% and 97%. Conclusions Our study highlights the limitations of the first set of criteria, that include optico-spinal form of MS. The accuracy of NMO/SD diagnostic criteria improved from 1999 to 2015. It confirms the increased performance of the last set of criteria which covers a larger spectrum of clinical presentation. This study raises some the concern to classify patients with seronegative transverse myelitis or optic neuritis, and MOG-antibody associated disease.

Neurorehatilitation and complex therapeutical approaches in a patient with spinal multiple sclerosis

The purely spinal form of multiple sclerosis, presenting as a progressive spastic paraparesis, hemiparesis, or, spastic monoparesis of a leg with varying degrees of posterior column involvement, is a special source of diagnostic difficulty. We present the case of a 47 years old patient, with no personal pathological antecedents, admitted in our department through the emergency ward for motor deficit of the lower limbs, sympthomatology that had an acute onset the day before admittance. The neurologic examination revealed: orthostatism and gait not possible, spastic paraparesis – 3/5 MRC (medical research council), deep tendon reflexes were found to be hyperactive on both lower extremities, bilateral plantar extension, a dermatomic level of sensory disturbance at T10 – T11 vertebral segment and urinary retention. The cerebral MRI revealed no pathological findings. The lumbar punction revealed oligoclonal bands and the spine MRI outlined multiple focal images with demyelination aspect reaching the cervical and dorsal level of the medullary cord. The patient had two more relapses each at approximately 6 months, and this allowed us to establish the final diagnostic: Pure spinal multiple sclerosis. Key words: spinal multiple sclerosis, paraparesis, neurorehabilitation,

Comparison of diagnostic criteria in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - the contribution of electromyographic findings

Background/Aim. Diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is based on combination of clinical signs and electrophysiological correlates of pathological process which takes place in general. New electrophysiological criteria Awaji-Shima (AS) additionally qualify the complex fasciculations and neurogenically modified potentials of motor units as signs of active lesions of peripheral motor neuron, contrary to previously valid revised El Escorial criteria (rEE). The objective of this research was to determine the clinical significance and advantages of using the AS criteria in patients with ALS. Methods. Thirty patients (59.2 ? 10.9 years, 57% of them with spinal form of the disease) with clinically suspected ALS were monitored from the time of diagnosis until reaching the category of definitive diagnosis or death. The clinical evaluation and electromyographic (EMG) examinations were carried out at 3-month intervals. Results. By applying the AS criteria, the category of probable or definite diagnosis was achieved in all patients with ALS, except in one (96.6%), as contrary to the rEE (33.3%), after 6 months of the follow-up period. The subclinical affection in more than two body regions has been defined through detection of denervation potentials (80% of the patients by using the AS, or 67% by the rEE criteria). The complex fasciculations were registered particularly often in small muscles of the feet (37? 40%). Conclusion. Application of the AS criteria improve the achievment of category of probable or definite diagnosis of ALS by 2.7 months earlier compared to the rEE. This outcome is particularly affected by a higher frequency of positive EMG findings, when the AS criteria were employed. Early determination of diagnosis provides the better perspective and more frequent participation of the ALS patients in pharmacotherapy studies intended to establish new therapeutic options.