title: The characteristics of spinal imaging in different types of demyelinating diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Transverse myelitis is the common presentation in demyelinating conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the characteristics of spinal lesions among each type of demyelinating diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records and spinal imaging of patients who were [1] older than 18years, [2] had at least one attack of TM, [3] had available spinal MRI data and [4] were tested for aquaporin-4 antibody were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and fifty-eight patients were eligible (27 clinically isolated syndrome [CIS], 38 MS, 55 seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders [NMOSD], 9 seronegative NMOSD, and 29 idiopathic transverse myelitis [IDD-TM]). All groups showed female preponderance and no difference of age at onset. In each patient group, no significant difference in the mean number of spinal lesions was found. The most common levels of involvement were thoracic in IDD-TM, cervical in CIS and MS, as well as cervico-thoracic in both NMOSD groups. Long extensive TM was the most common finding in both the seropositive and seronegative NMOSD groups compared to the other groups. Peripheral location and <30% of spinal cord area involvement were the characteristic findings in CIS and MS. Central location and intermediately involved of the cross-sectional cord area were the determinants for the seropositive and seronegative NMOSD groups, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spinal MRI findings can help to differentiate among demyelinating diseases in who presented with TM.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Bangkok Hospital Headquarters, BDMS, Bangkok 10310, Thailand. Electronic address: hambarangers@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Chaisak
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dumrikarnlert
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Bumrungrad International Hospital, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand. Electronic address: siritho@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sasitorn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siritho
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. Electronic address: pimwalai_fai@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Pimwalai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chulapimphan
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. Electronic address: bigmai_029@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Chanon
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ngamsombat
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand; Bangkok Hospital Headquarters, BDMS, Bangkok 10310, Thailand. Electronic address: medchan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Chanjira
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Satukijchai
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. Electronic address: naraporn.pra@mahidol.ac.th.
authors.forename: Naraporn
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Prayoonwiwat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D020278:Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
keywords: Clinically isolated syndrome; Multiple sclerosis; Neuromyelitis optica; Spinal imaging; Transverse myelitis