Frequency and characteristics of MRI-negative myelitis associated with MOG autoantibodies. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sechi, Elia; Krecke, Karl N; Pittock, Sean J; Dubey, Divyanshu; Lopez-Chiriboga, A Sebastian; Kunchok, Amy; Weinshenker, Brian G; Zalewski, Nicholas L; Flanagan, Eoin P
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 27:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 303
• Page End: 308
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Demyelination -- MRI -- neuromyelitis optica -- T2 lesions -- myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein -- acute transverse myelitis; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458520907900
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

Background: Myelitis accompanied by a negative spinal cord MRI may lead to diagnostic uncertainty. Objective and Methods: We retrospectively investigated the frequency of negative spinal cord MRI (performed <6 weeks from onset) in Mayo Clinic patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-IgG-associated myelitis (2000–2019). Results: The initial spinal cord MRI was negative in 7/73 (10%) patients, despite severe acute disability (median EDSS, 7 (range, 4.5–8)); myelitis symptoms/signs were frequent (paraparesis, neurogenic bladder, sensory level, Lhermitte's phenomenon). Myelitis lesions became overt at follow-up MRI in three patients. Conclusions: A negative spinal cord MRI should not dissuade from MOG-IgG testing in patients with acute/subacute myelitis.