Tanche Wang MSc, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

David Kwok Boon Li MD, Abstract Co-Author: Researcher, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc Researcher, Bayer AG Researcher, BioMS Medical Researcher, Johnson & Johnson Researcher, DAIICHI SANKYO Group Researcher, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Researcher, Merck KGaA Researcher, Schering-Plough Corporation Researcher, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd Researcher, sanofi-aventis Group Researcher, Transition Therapeutics Inc Consultant, Genzyme Corporation

Reza Sadjadi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ibtisam Al-Thubaiti, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Annie Kuan, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Anthony Traboulsee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Researcher, Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc Researcher, Bayer AG Researcher, BioMS Medical Researcher, Johnson & Johnson Researcher, DAIICHI SANKYO Group Researcher, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Researcher, Merck KGaA Researcher, Schering-Plough Corporation Researcher, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd Researcher, sanofi-aventis Group Researcher, Transition Therapeutics Inc Consultant, Genzyme Corporation

Longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (LESCL), extending more than 3 vertebral lengths, on MRI, are common in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and the opticospinal form of Asian MS (OSMS). The study objective was to follow-up pre-existing LESCL in the absence of recent recurrent symptoms.

The initial and follow-up MRI scans of 16 NMO and 2 OSMS patients with at least one initial LESCL were retrospectively reviewed for changes in size and longitudinal extent, blinded to the clinical indication for the examination. Results for scans obtained within 3 months of acute transverse myelitis symptoms were excluded and only those obtained for routine follow-up were analyzed.

Follow-up of 25 pre-existing LESCL in 18 patients showed 6 resolved, 7 unchanged, 10 smaller (3 residual LESCL, 2 non-LESCL [< 3 vertebral lengths] and 5 LESCL splitting into 14 smaller lesions (5 LESCL, 9 non-LESCL), 2 larger and the development of 1 new LESCL.

In the absence of recurrent clinical symptoms, 64% of pre-existing LESCL on follow-up resolved (24%) or became smaller (40%) either by shrinking in size or being split up into smaller lesions, 57% of which were non-LESCL, lesions more typical for classical MS.

The longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions characteristic for NMO and OSMS are best visualized acutely as over half of them resolve into smaller lesions more typical for classical MS. 

Wang, T, Li, D, Sadjadi, R, Al-Thubaiti, I, Kuan, A, Traboulsee, A, MRI Follow-up of Longitudinally Extensive Spinal Cord Lesions in NMO and OSMS.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11002296.html