Multiple Sclerosis:Making the Diagnosis

M. Wallin, MD, MPH

Neurology Service

VAMC, Washington, DC

Multiple Sclerosis: Making the DiagnosisTopical Outline

I. MS Background & Diagnostic Approach

II. Diagnostic Criteria & Evaluation

III. MS Variants

IV. Differential Diagnosis

V. Clinical Cases

Definition of Multiple Sclerosis

• An inflammatory demyelinating disease of the CNS where there is:– Dissemination in space– Dissemination in time– No alternative neurologic disease

• MS is a clinical diagnosis

Multiple Sclerosis Epidemiology(Wallin M, et al Baker Clin Neurol CD-2003)

• The most common progressive neurologic disease of young adults

• Affects 350,000 persons in the USA

• Risk Factors: – Female sex

– White race

– Northern latitude (USA)

– High socioeconomic status

– Scandinavian ancestry

Approach to the Diagnosis of MS(Modified from Fleming J, MS & Its Masquerades, AAN-2003)

Treat for MS

M S

G rou p 1F in d in gs o f T yp ica l M S

M S P o ss ib le

G rou p 2M in o r o r U n usu a l F in d in gs

M S U n like ly

G rou p 3N o rm a l F in d in gs

N e u ro lo g ica l E va lua tion

Close follow-up &/or Focused work-up

Reassure & evaluatewhen appropriate

Multiple Sclerosis Subtypes(Lublin F, et al Neurology 1996)

• Asymptomatic

• Symptomatic– Relapsing-remitting (85% at onset)– Primary progressive (10%)– Secondary Progressive (transitional form)– Progressive Relapsing (5%)

Multiple Sclerosis Subtypes(Coyle P, CNS News 2002; adapted from Lublin F, et al Neurology 1996)

Onset symptoms of MS(Weinshenker B, et al Brain, 1989)

Clinical Features Suggestive of MS

• Onset between 15-50 years

• Blurred or double vision

• Lhermitte’s sign

• Fatigue

• Heat sensitivity

• Bladder symptoms

• Cognitive or affective changes

MS Disease Timeline(Fox RJ, Sweeny PJ, Cleveland Clinic, May 2002)

Schumacher Diagnostic Criteria(Schumacher G, et al. Ann NY Acad Sci 1965)

• The following 6 criteria are essential for a diagnosis of “definite MS”:– Age between 10-50 yrs– Objective abnormalities on exam– Two or more separate lesions in the CNS– CNS disease must reflect white matter involvement– Consistent time course

• Attacks last > 24 hrs; spaced 1 mo apart• Slow/stepwise progression > 6 mo

– No better explanation by a physician competent in clinical neurology

Poser Diagnostic Criteria(Poser C, et al Ann Neurol, 1983)

McDonald Diagnostic CriteriaPrimary Progressive MS

• Insidious course with steady progression of clinical deficits with paraclinical evidence:– DIS by MRI in combination with VER &

positive CSF– DIT by MRI or continued progression for 1 yr

McDonald Diagnostic CriteriaMRI-High Specificity & Sensitivity for MS

• Typical MS demyelinating lesions meeting at least 3 of the following 4 criteria:– At least 1 Gd lesion or at least 9 T2 lesions– At least one infratentorial lesion– At least one juxtacortical lesion– At least 3 periventricular lesions

McDonald Diagnostic CriteriaMRI-Dissemination in Space

• Stringent MRI Criteria– At least 3 of the 4 criteria must be met:

• 1 Gd enhancing lesion or 9 T2 lesions

• > 1 Infratentarial lesion

• > 1 Juxtacortical lesion

• > 3 Periventricular lesions

• MRI + CSF Criteria– Both of the following must be met:

• > 2 lesions consistent with MS

• CSF showing OCB or increased IgG index

McDonald Diagnostic CriteriaMRI-Dissemination in Time

• If the first MRI is performed 3 months after the clinical event, 1 of the 2 below must be found:– > 1 Gd lesion not at site of original attack; or

– MRI 3 months later showing a new T2 or Gd lesion • If the first MRI is performed < 3 months after the clinical

event, then a second MRI done 3 months after the attack provides evidence for DIT if 1 of the 2 below must be found:

– New Gd lesion on the second MRI

– Later MRI showing new T2 or Gd lesion

McDonald Diagnostic CriteriaCorrect Application

• Clinical & lab findings typical of MS

• No better explanation of patient’s findings

• Unusual cases require close follow-up

• Criteria may be applied flexibly but not casually

• Revisions to criteria may be needed in future

McDonald Diagnostic CriteriaProspective Performance

(Dalton, et al Ann Neurol 2002)

• Diagnosis of MS by McDonald Diagnostic Criteria in CIS patients at one year after presentation compared to reanalysis of these patients by Poser criteria at three years: – Sensitivity: 83%– Specificity: 83%– PPV: 75%– NPV: 89%

Focused Neurologic Exam(Adapted from Whitney D, Int J MS Care, 2001)

• MSt: Attention, psychomotor slowing• CN: VA, fundoscopic exam, VFs, swinging

flashlight, EOM evaluating for paresis (INO) & nystagmus

• Reflexes: asymmetries, Babinski sign• Motor: spasticity, pyramidal pattern of weakness• Sensory: Thoracic or cervical level• Gait: integrates many functions, 25’ timed walk• Bladder: PVR (if symptomatic)

Imaging & Lab Work-up for MS(Modified from Fleming J, MS & Its Masquerades, AAN-2003)

• Brain MRI with Gd

• VERs

• CBC, Chem 7, Liver enz, UA

• Lyme serology (based on exposure history)

• ANA, RPR, ESR

• B12

• TSH

• HIV

• CSF (based on clinical and MRI)

• C & T Spine MRI (if Brain MRI nl or indicated clinically)

• CXR

MRI: FLAIR & T1 with Gadolinium(Noseworthy J, et al NEJM, 2000)

MRI: T1 “Black Holes”

MRI: Sagittal Views

MRI: Spinal Imaging

Visual Evoked Potentials(Baker’s Clin Neurol 2003)

Oligoclonal Bands

Baker's Clinical Neurology, CDROM-2003

MS Variants

• Marburg variant

• Balo’s Concentric Sclerosis

• Schilder’s Disease

• Disseminated subpial demyelination

• Mass Lesion

Other Disorders

• Neuromyelitis Optica (Devic Syndrome)– Relapsing (55%), monophasic (35%)

– MRI: cord lesions, chiasmal signal changes

– CSF: generally >100 wbc, protein, rare OCB

• Postinfectious encephalomyelitis or ADEM– Monophasic with preceeding event common (70%)

– Most common in children

– Altered LOC and seizures common

– MRI: bilateral symmetric lesions

Clinically Isolated Syndromes

• Optic Neuritis– Risk factors for MS (60-75%)

• History of minor neurologic sxs

• Unilateral optic neuritis

• Brain MRI lesions

• Abnormal CSF

• Abormal VERs

Clinically Isolated Syndromes

• Transverse Myelitis– Risk factors for MS

• Incomplete transverse myelitis

• Asymmetric motor or sensory findings

• Brain MRI lesions

• Abnormal CSF

• Abnormal VER and SSEPs

• Others (Brainstem, Cerebellum)

Differntial Diagnosis in MS(Frohman E, et al Neurology, 2003)

Red Flags for Misdiagnosing MS

• MRI changes without clinical correlate

• Known psychiatric disease

• Normal neurologic examination

• Atypical clinical features– Disease onset at the extremes of age– Extraneural systemic disease– Prominent gray matter symptoms

Case #1

31 year old Asian female presents with subacute onset of right sided trunk numbness (T4 level) and asymmetric leg weakness. No prior neurologic symptoms or signs. MRI of cord shows patchy upper thoracic T2- signal lesion. CSF: 100 wbc, increased protein & negative OCBs.

Case #2

18 year old male high school senior presents with 48 hours of blurred vision, bilateral leg weakness with right arm ataxia. He appears to be alert but is a bit slow to respond to questions. No recent illnesses or significant PMH. MRI shows bilateral brainstem, occipital and cerebellar T2-lesions some of which enhance. His family is extremely concerned and ask your opinion on his diagnosis and prognosis.

Breaking the news of an MS diagnosis

• Communicate with the patient face-to-face• Explain prognosis and treatment using lay

terms• Give hope to the patient by:

– encouraging pursuit of personal/career goals– Correcting pessimistic impressions of MS– Provide information on future follow-up and

patient support resources

MS Patient Information

• National MS Society– www.nmss.org

• Consortium of MS Centers– www.mscare.org

• Multiple Sclerosis Association of America– www.msaa.com

• Paralyzed Veterans of America– www.pva.org

• VA MS Centers of Excellence (East & West)– www.va.gov/ms