Multiple sclerosis : clinical and laboratory research
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Magnetization transfer (MT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide quantitative information about the severity of tissue damage in the cervical cord of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). MT MRI-derived measures of cord damage are correlated with the severity of disease-related locomotor disability. ⋯ Cervical cord tissue damage seems to be limited to macroscopic lesions in patients with early, non-disabling RR MS. Longitudinal studies are warranted to define the dynamics of MS-related cord damage accumulation over time later on in the course of the disease.
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To quantify axonal loss in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), with and without a history of optic neuritis, by means of ocular imaging technologies. ⋯ Axonal loss was detected not only in MS eyes with a previous acute optic neuritis, but also in MS eyes with no known optic neuritis episode. Structural abnormalities correlate with functional assessments of the optic nerve.
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We report a case of fatal neurogenic pulmonary edema in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The patient had one isolated relapse-like episode. ⋯ More classical demyelinated lesions were found in the white matter of spinal cord and in the gray matter of the brain along with disseminated perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates. Medullary inflammation in progressive MS may result in sudden fatal respiratory failure.
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To describe clinical features of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Shanghai, China. ⋯ Clinical features of patients with MS are described based on the information from the largest case series reported among Chinese. Comparisons and discussions are made with findings from the other populations.
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The aim of the present study is to assess the actual and lifetime frequency of neuropathic (trigeminal neuralgia, L'Hermitte's sign, dysesthesic pain) and somatic (painful muscle spasms and low back pain) pain and headache (tensive headache and migraine) in a cross-sectional sample of 428 consecutive multiple sclerosis (MS) outpatients followed-up in an Italian University MS center over a 3-month period. The impact of demographic and disease-related variables on pain and headache risk is also studied. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered during a face-to-face interview with MS patients and a multivariate logistic regression model is applied to obtain crude and adjusted risk measures. ⋯ After multivariate analysis, a progressive course of disease was shown to increase the risk of dysesthesic pain and painful muscle spasms, while greater disability was responsible for a higher risk of back pain. L'Hermitte's sign was more frequent in younger patients, while females had a higher risk of headache. Pain and headache in MS are not negligible symptoms and a neurological examination should not miss the assessment of risk factors for specific types of pain for a more specific and individualized treatment.