title: [Diagnosis and differential diagnosis in multiple sclerosis].
abstract: The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) relies on the occurrence of characteristic symptoms, on the patient's history and on the correct interpretation of nowadays very sensitive but not very specific auxillary examinations. This paper reviews the diagnostic criteria and typical signs and symptoms of the disease. The significance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and evoked potentials is discussed, with emphasis on their predictive value concerning the development of MS after a first episode with symptoms suggestive of MS. A wide range of other diseases mimicking MS, like infectious, autoimmune, granulomatous, metabolic and hereditary diseases is reviewed. A checklist for important points in patient history and further investigations is proposed.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Universitätsklinik und -poliklinik Basel.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kappos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis
vernacular_title: Diagnose und Differentialdiagnose der multiplen Sklerose.