Multiple Sclerosis Flashcards
Multiple Sclerosis
the most common immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Pathologically characterized by multifocal areas of demyelination with loss of oligodendrocytes, astroglial scarring and Axonal injury
Test of choice in dx MS
MRI
Characteristic lesions of MS
Cerebral or spinal plaque
Requirement for diagnosis of MS
demonstration of central nervous system lesion in time and space, based on either clinical findings alone or a combination of clinical and MRI findings
Dissemination in space
on MRI one or more T2 lesion in at least two of four MS typical regions (periventricular, juxtacortical, indratentorial, spinal cord) OR a different clinical attack implicating a different central nervous system site
Dissemination in time
on MRI simultaneous presence of asymptomatic gandolinium enhancing and nonenhancing lesions at any time OR a new t2 and or gadolinium enhancing lesion on follow up MRI with reference of a baseline scan OR by the development of a second attack
Patients with two or more attacks who have objective clinical evidence of one lesion need evidence of
dissemination in space
Patients with one attack who have objective clinical evidence of two or more lesions need evidence of
dissemination in time
Lumbar puncture findings with MS
Elevation of CSF immunoglobulin relative to other protein compounds, increased igG index
Features suggestive of MS
Relapse and remissions. Onset between 15 and 50, optic neuritis, lhermitte sign (electric sensation that travels down your neck and back and also feels present in the arms, legs, fingers, and toes. The pain is usually strongest when you bend your neck forward), internuclear ophthalmoplegia- impairment of horizontal eye movements, fatigue, heat sensitivity (uhthoff phenomenon)
Features atypical for MS
steady progression, age before 10, age after 50, cortical deficits such as aphasia, apraxia, neglect. Rigidity, sustained dystonia, convulsions, early dementia, deficit deveoping within minutes
Clinically isolated syndrome
the first attack of a disease compatible with MS that exhibits characteristics of inflammatory demyelination but has yet to fulfill MS diagnostic criteria, if untreated with most likely lead to a diagnosis of MS
Relapsing-Remitting MS
clearly defined relapses with full recovery or with sequelae and residual deficit upon recovery None or minimal disease progression. Most will eventually enter progressive.
Secondary Progressive MS
initial RRMS followed by progession with or without occasional relapses, minor remission.
Primary Progressive MS
Disease progression from the onset with occasional plateuas and temporary minor improvements. 10 percent of adult cases.
MS is ____ mediated
immune
Immune cells are made where
throughout the body except the brain and spinal cord. Made in the tonsils, thymus, bone marrow, spleen, lymphoid tissue
Diagnose MS
clinically
Nerve damage and myelin loss
Axons have a protective myelin coating that is necessary for normal conduction of electrical impulses. In MS the immune system destroys the myelin resulting in slowed (not absent)* conduction and exposure of axons. Exposed axons can then be severed causing them to lose nerve function once degraded causing permanent loss of the axon. Results in permanent loss.
Patho of blood brain barrier breakdown
BBB prevents the entrance of T cells into the nervous system. infections or virsuses can alter this barrier and make it permeable to T cells. Once it regains integrity after the infection has cleared the T cells are still trapped inside the brain