title: Multiple sclerosis mimics.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson, USA.
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Herndon
mesh_terms: 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