Coexistent Multiple Sclerosis Research Articles

Positive effects of ocrelizumab in patients with familial mediterranean fever and coexistent multiple sclerosis.

Objectives This study aims to evaluate the effects of ocrelizumab (OCZ) on familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) attacks in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with FMF (MS+FMF patients).Patients and methods This retrospective observational study included 11 patients (2 males, 9 females; mean age 46.6±9.2; range, 22 to 55 years) with MS+FMF hospitalized between January 2016 and July 2019. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters and patient reported outcomes were analyzed in patients treated with OCZ for 18 months.Results Combining OCZ with colchicine in MS+FMF patients significantly reduced the frequency of FMF attacks (p=0.003) and the frequency of joint attacks (p=0.002). Consistent with the clinical improvement, the maximum serum C-reactive protein levels were significantly decreased after combination therapy compared to before combination therapy (p=0.003). MS+FMF patients reported that FMF disease activity improved after OCZ therapy (Visual Analog Scale [VAS] 74±9.6 vs. VAS 46.5±8.1 mm, p=0.003).ConclusionOcrelizumab therapy led to a prominent decrease in the frequency of FMF attacks, alleviated functional impairment, and improved quality of life in MS+FMF patients.

Surgical management of patients with coexistent multiple sclerosis and cervical stenosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and cervical stenosis (CS) are two unique pathologies that can present with overlapping symptoms. In patients with concurrent MS and CS, the exact cause for worsening of symptoms is often difficult to decipher. In this study, we aimed to review the medical literature on the benefits of surgical decompression surgery in patients with coexisting CS and MS. We systematically reviewed the literature for articles published prior to December 1st, 2018 describing outcomes (improvement of symptoms of radiculopathy, myelopathy, and neck pain) in patients with coexisting MS and CS undergoing cervical decompression surgery. Effect sizes were calculated demonstrating the effect of surgical decompression on improving symptoms. We identified eight articles that satisfied our selection criteria, of which six provided data regarding symptoms after surgery. Our meta-analysis indicates that cervical decompression surgery in patients with coexisting MS and CS is beneficial in improving symptoms of myelopathy (ES 0.74, 95% CI 0.38–1.10, p < 0.0001), radiculopathy (ES 1.29, 95% CI 0.15–2.42, p < 0.001), and neck pain (ES 1.66, 95% CI 1.02–2.31, p < 0.0001). Our meta-analysis indicates that there is paucity of high level of evidence studies regarding the benefit of cervical decompression surgery in patients with concomitant CS and MS. However, the literature suggests that cervical decompression may be beneficial to such patients, providing stabilization or improvement in symptoms of myelopathy, radiculopathy, and neck pain. Spine surgeons must carefully delineate the cause of symptoms in patients to decide whether this is the optimal treatment for each individual patient.

Surgical Treatment of Patients With Cervical Myeloradiculopathy and Coexistent Multiple Sclerosis

A case series of 15 patients. To report a series of patients with coexisting multiple sclerosis (MS) and progressive myeloradiculopathy who were successfully treated with surgical decompression, fusion, and fixation. MS and cervical myeloradiculopathy share clinical signs, including gait dysfunction, motor weakness, and hyperreflexia. Distinguishing between these 2 entities may be difficult, and in rare cases they may coexist. Controversy exists regarding the use of surgery in patients with MS as a treatment for degenerative cervical spondylotic disease. This case series was composed of 15 patients (10 female, 5 male, average age 50.1 y) with a confirmed diagnosis of MS, who presented with worsening cervical myeloradiculopathy. Outcome measures included neurologic assessment, subjective reports of pain and paraesthesias, and radiographic fusion rates. The patients had neurologic findings consistent with both diseases, and some had radicular findings associated with degenerative disk disease. All patients had magnetic resonance evidence of cervical spinal cord or nerve root compression from an abnormal disk/osteophyte complex, hypertrophied ligament, or both. The average follow-up was 47 months. Thirteen patients showed objective improvement in neurologic function, including increased lower and upper extremity strength. Two patients' symptoms stabilized. Thirteen of 15 patients also had improvement in neck and/or upper extremity pain or paresthesias; 2 patients had continuing upper and lower extremity paresthesias. The patient with bladder incontinence had no improvement of this problem. All patients went on to radiographic fusion. There were no surgical complications. Patients with coexistent MS and cervical myeloradiculopathy may present a diagnostic challenge, and it may be difficult to ascertain the exact disease pathophysiology. However, patients with MS and degenerative cervical spondylotic disease can benefit from surgical decompression. Surgery is an efficacious, low-risk procedure, and should be offered to appropriately selected patients who harbor both the diseases.

Encephalopathy with Neuroserpin Inclusion Bodies Presenting as Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy and Associated with a Novel Mutation in the Proteinase Inhibitor 12 Gene

Neuroserpin encephalopathy is an autosomal-dominant degenerative disease associated with mutations in the Proteinase Inhibitor 12 (PI12) gene. A 26-year-old male presented with progressive myoclonus epilepsy and declining mental status. He had failed in university studies because of impaired attention, memory and concentration. Generalized seizures started to occur approximately once a month, and he developed myoclonus and progressive gait disturbances. Neuroimaging revealed mild atrophy and multiple periventricular white matter lesions, consistent with demyelination. He progressively declined and died at age 34. Neuropathologic examination revealed widespread involvement of the cerebral cortex by numerous round eosinophilic inclusions in neuronal perikarya and neuropil, predominantly within the deep cortical layers. Numerous inclusions were also found in the basal ganglia, thalamus, hippocampus, brain stem, spinal gray matter, and dorsal root ganglia. They were essentially absent from the cerebellum. The inclusions were immunopositive for antibodies raised against neuroserpin. The white matter lesions showed histologic features compatible with multiple sclerosis. Genetic analysis revealed a nucleotide substitution in codon 47 in one allele of the PI12 gene, resulting in a proline for leucine amino acid substitution (L47P). In summary, we report a case of neuroserpin encephalopathy associated with a novel PI12 mutation and complicated by coexistent multiple sclerosis.

96. Surgical Treatment of Patients with Cervical Myeloradiculopathy and Coexistent Multiple Sclerosis Report of Nine Patients with Two Year Follow-up

96. Surgical Treatment of Patients with Cervical Myeloradiculopathy and Coexistent Multiple Sclerosis Report of Nine Patients with Two Year Follow-up

Transthoracic disc excision and fusion for herniated thoracic discs.

Transthoracic discectomy and fusion were performed on 19 patients for a central or central-lateral herniated thoracic disc. At initial visit, 14 patients had evidence of myelopathy, 5 had bowel or bladder dysfunction, and 13 had pain. Previous laminectomy in three patients compromised the result of later anterior decompression. Coexistent multiple sclerosis was diagnosed in two patients, who had an atypical postoperative course. The overall results of transthoracic discectomy and fusion in patients without prior laminectomy or coexistent multiple sclerosis were excellent in six, good in six, fair in one, and poor in one, demonstrating that it is a safe and effective procedure.