Distinguishing Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder from Multiple Sclerosis using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techniques

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare neuroinflammatory central nervous system disorder, characterized by astrocytopathy with secondary demyelination. NMOSD and multiple sclerosis (MS) have overlapping clinical manifestations, making it clinically challenging to distinguish. An antibody is present in the serum that can distinguish NMOSD from MS. The antibody is highly specific but not very sensitive to NMOSD and the similarity of NMOSD clinical and imaging features to those in MS, and the lack of awareness about the rare NMOSD among physicians could lead to misdiagnosis. Distinguishing NMOSD from MS is important as prognosis and treatment options differ. Here, we will discuss myelin water imaging, an advanced quantitative magnetic resonance imaging technique to explore the pathology of lesional and non-lesional tissues of MS and NMOSD. We will machine-learning method to automatically distinguish between the two diseases. Both techniques are actively being studied at the University of British Columbia.