title: Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings in relapsing neuromyelitis optica.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some studies showed abnormalities in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of relapsing neuromyelitis optica (R-NMO) from 12 to 46%. These abnormalities are described as compatible/non-compatible with multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the abnormal brain MRI lesions in R-NMO with imaging studies conducted with more sensitive white matter change techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty patients with R-NMO were selected. All MRI brain studies were performed with a 1.5-T Siemens MRI system according to the Standardized MR Imaging Protocol for Multiple Sclerosis from the Consortium of MS Centers Consensus Guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Brain MRI images were evaluated in 29 R-NMO cases because in one case the MRI images were not appropriate for the study. Of these 29 brain MRI studies, 19 cases (65.5%) had at least one or more lesions (1-57) and 10 were negative (34.4%). Brain MRI findings in 19 cases were characterized in T2/fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) by the presence of subcortical/deep white matter lesions in 16 (84.2%) cases (1-50), most of them <3 mm and without juxtacortical localization. Periventricular lesions were observed in 13 (68.4%) cases, but morphologically they were not oval, ovoid or perpendicularly orientated. Infratentorial lesions, all >3 mm, were observed in 4 (21.05%) cases without cerebellar involvement. T1 studies demonstrated absence of hypointense regions. Optic nerve enhancement was observed in 6/19 patients (31.5%). None of the brain MRI abnormalities observed were compatible with Barkhof et al. criteria of MS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study, based on a Cuban patient population, with long duration of disease, good sample size and detailed characterization by MRI, demonstrated the brain MRI pattern of R-NMO patients, which is different from MS.
authors: International Center of Neurological Restoration, Reparto Cubanacán, Playa, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba. cabrera.gomez@infomed.sld.cu
authors: José A
authors: JA
authors: Cabrera-Gómez
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Quevedo-Sotolongo
authors: A
authors: A
authors: González-Quevedo
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Lima
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Real-González
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Cristófol-Corominas
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Romero-García
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Ugarte-Sánchez
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Jordán-González
authors: J E González
authors: JE
authors: de la Nuez
authors: J García
authors: JG
authors: Lahera
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Tellez
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Pedroso-Ibañez
authors: R Rodríguez
authors: RR
authors: Roca
authors: A Y
authors: AY
authors: Cabrera-Núñez
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D003462:Cuba; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity