Abstract
Purpose To quantitatively analyze the C2/C3 segments of the spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients in their first five years of the disease and to investigate the intergroup differences regarding markers of spinal cord atrophy and their correlations with expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Materials and Methods Twenty NMOSD patients and twenty RRMS patients, within their first five years of the disease, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All patients underwent spinal cord MR imaging using 1.5 Tesla systems, and C2/C3 portions of the spinal cord were segmented in the obtained scans. C2/C3 anteroposterior diameter (C2/C3 SC-APD), transversal diameter (C2/C3 SC-TD), and cross-sectional area (C2/C3 SC-CSA) were quantitatively measured using Spinal Cord Toolbox v.4.3. Results Three NMOSD patients were seropositive for anti-AQP4 IgG. The mean C2/C3 SC-CSA in NMOSD patients was significantly lower than in RRMS patients. NMOSD patients had significantly lower C2/C3 SC-TDs than RRMS patients. With the three anti-AQP4+ patients excluded from the analysis, C2/C3 SC-TD was negatively correlated with EDSS. Conclusion In the early stages of the disease, quantitative evaluation of C2/C3 spinal cord parameters, including cross-sectional area and transversal diameter in NMOSD patients, appears to be of potential diagnostic and prognostic value.
Highlights
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are chronic autoimmune-mediated diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration [1, 2]
Yearly decreases of the mean upper cervical cord crosssectional area (MUCCA) in NMOSD patients have shown significant predictive value in that study [11], which has not been confirmed by another study, where authors argue that thoracic (T8/T9 and T9/T10), but not cervical, cross-sectional area is negatively associated with expanded disability status scale (EDSS) [16]
No significant difference was noted between the two groups regarding body mass index (BMI) scores
Summary
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are chronic autoimmune-mediated diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration [1, 2]. Yearly decreases of the MUCCA in NMOSD patients have shown significant predictive value in that study [11], which has not been confirmed by another study, where authors argue that thoracic (T8/T9 and T9/T10), but not cervical, cross-sectional area is negatively associated with EDSS [16]. They discuss that EDSS scores of MS patients are negatively associated with cervical spinal cord (C2/C3 and C3/C4) cross-sectional area, but not with thoracic spinal cord cross-sectional area [16]. Interstudy heterogeneities in the disease durations of enrolled patients could have partly contributed to these disputing findings
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
