title: What do we know about brain contrast enhancement patterns in neuromyelitis optica?
abstract: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system that usually presents with acute myelitis and/or optic neuritis. Recently, some brain magnetic resonance imaging findings have been described in NMO that are important in the differential diagnosis. Pencil-thin, leptomeningeal, and cloud-like enhancement may be specific to NMO. These patterns are usually seen during relapses. Recognizing these lesions and enhancement patterns may expedite the diagnosis and allows early effective treatment. The purpose of this article is to review the latest knowledge and to share our experience with the contrast enhancement patterns of NMO brain lesions.
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Neuroradiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital; Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Department of Radiology, Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: yelizpekcevik@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Yeliz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Pekcevik
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Neuroradiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital. Electronic address: gorman1@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Gunes
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orman
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Neuroradiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital; Chungnam National University Hospital, Department of Radiology, Korea. Electronic address: leeinho1974@hanmail.net.
authors.forename: In Ho
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis & Transverse Myelitis Centers, Johns Hopkins University. Electronic address: mmealy1@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Maureen A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mealy
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neuromyelitis Optica Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital. Electronic address: mlevy@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.affiliation: The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Division of Neuroradiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital. Electronic address: iizbuda1@jhmi.edu.
authors.forename: Izlem
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Izbudak
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003287:Contrast Media; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media
keywords: Brain; Magnetic resonance imaging; Neuromyelitis optica; neuroimaging