title: Disclosing a misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis: do no harm?
abstract: The difficulty of diagnosing multiple sclerosis (MS) has been well documented. However, recent data also suggests that neurologists frequently encounter the clinical challenge of having to undo a misdiagnosis of MS. Undiagnosing MS has important clinical, psychosocial, and economic consequences for the patient, the treating neurologist, and the healthcare system at large. This article presents a case of misdiagnosed MS and discusses ethical challenges and obligations for the neurologist.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. Andrew.Solomon@vtmednet.org
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Eran
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000941:ethics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014342:Truth Disclosure / Q000941:ethics*