title: Sensory (VEP, BAEP, SEP) and motor-evoked potentials, liquoral and magnetic resonance findings in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: In order to define the most suitable instrumental protocol for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), 41 patients with definite (D = 14), probable (P = 14) and suspected (S = 13) MS were examined with CSF immunology, brain MRI and multimodal evoked potentials. The central motor tracts were also tested. The following alteration rates were found: MRI = 78%, CSF = 63.6%, VEP = 70.0%, median nerve SEP = 50%, peroneal nerve SEP = 68.0%, BAEPs = 35.7%, motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) = 74.0%. Altogether, EPs were abnormal in 90% of cases. Normal MRI with altered EPs were found in 22% of cases, whilst a normal EP battery with defective CSF or MRI findings were found in 7%. Twenty-six out of 27 patients with P or S forms were reclassified into a D one when considering EPs and MRI features.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Second University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Rossini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zarola
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Floris
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bernardi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perretti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pelosi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Caramia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D007142:Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007142:Immunoglobulin gamma-Chains