• Paul Elsbernd, Laura Cacciaguerra, Karl N Krecke, John J Chen, David Gritsch, A Sebastian Lopez-Chiriboga, Elia Sechi, Vyanka Redenbaugh, Padraig P Morris, Jonathan L Carter, Dean M Wingerchuk, Jan-Mendelt Tillema, Cristina Valencia-Sanchez, Smathorn Thakolwiboon, Sean J Pittock, and Eoin P Flanagan.
• Department of Neurology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, USA.
• J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. 2023 Dec 14; 95 (1): 141814-18.

IntroductionLimited data exist on brain MRI enhancement in myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) and differences from aquaporin-4-IgG-positive-neuromyelitis-optica-spectrum-disorder (AQP4+NMOSD), and multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, we identified 122 Mayo Clinic MOGAD patients (1 January 1996-1 July 2020) with cerebral attacks. We explored enhancement patterns using a discovery set (n=41). We assessed enhancement frequency and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores at nadir and follow-up in the remainder (n=81). Two raters assessed T1-weighted-postgadolinium MRIs (1.5T/3T) for enhancement patterns in MOGAD, AQP4+NMOSD (n=14) and MS (n=26). Inter-rater agreement was assessed. Leptomeningeal enhancement clinical correlates were analysed.ResultsEnhancement occurred in 59/81 (73%) MOGAD cerebral attacks but did not influence outcome. Enhancement was often patchy/heterogeneous in MOGAD (33/59 (56%)), AQP4+NMOSD (9/14 (64%); p=0.57) and MS (16/26 (62%); p=0.63). Leptomeningeal enhancement favoured MOGAD (27/59 (46%)) over AQP4+NMOSD (1/14 (7%); p=0.01) and MS (1/26 (4%); p<0.001) with headache, fever and seizures frequent clinical correlates. Ring enhancement favoured MS (8/26 (31%); p=0.006) over MOGAD (4/59 (7%)). Linear ependymal enhancement was unique to AQP4+NMOSD (2/14 (14%)) and persistent enhancement (>3 months) was rare (0%-8%) across all groups. Inter-rater agreement for enhancement patterns was moderate.ConclusionsEnhancement is common with MOGAD cerebral attacks and often has a non-specific patchy appearance and rarely persists beyond 3 months. Leptomeningeal enhancement favours MOGAD over AQP4+NMOSD and MS.© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

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