Multiple sclerosis mimics.
Even with all the newer diagnostic tools, including MRI with multiple sequences, evoked potentials, CSF studies, and so forth, multiple sclerosis remains a clinical diagnosis. In the past it was, to a large extent, a wastebasket diagnosis. Since we really could not do much about it, if our diagnosis was wrong it really didn't matter a great deal. Now, with an increasing number of effective therapies and with good therapies for some of the MS mimics, accurate diagnosis is a must. In addition to the cost of treatment, many of the current treatments such as Mitoxantrone (Novantrone) are not benign and we should not subject our patients to unnecessary harmful therapies.
Herndon
Robert M
RM
Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, USA.
D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000592:standards; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology