title: Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
abstract: This chapter will serve as a guide for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). Primary aims include a review of both the common and atypical clinical manifestations of MS, a detailed discussion of the alternative diagnoses which can mimic MS, as well as a review of the current established diagnostic criteria and a history of their development. It will also review the distinct disease courses and MS variants. The goal of the chapter is to facilitate the diagnostic process for clinicians so that they may expedite early diagnosis and treatment in an effort to alter disease outcomes and ultimately improve patients' quality of life.
authors: Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
authors: Tracy M
authors: TM
authors: Deangelis
authors: Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address: Aaron.miller@mssm.edu.
authors: Aaron
authors: A
authors: Miller
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: CSF; IgG index; International; MRI; McDonald, Poser; aging; cerebrospinal fluid; clinical manifestations; diagnostic criteria; differential diagnosis; evoked potentials; magnetic resonance imaging; oligoclonal bands