Multiple Sclerosis Jeffrey M. Gelfand, MD UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center SFGH Neuroimmunology Clinic UCSF and SFGH Departments of Neurology
Goals To review the fundamentals of neurological localization To learn when to suspect multiple sclerosis as the diagnosis in your patient To discuss ways to optimize care for patients with known multiple sclerosis
Case #1 26 yo man, previously healthy, woke up with numbness in his feet a pins and needles sensation. He ran on the treadmill to improve my circulation but his symptoms persisted. The next day, the numbness was up to knee level, and the day after that, it was up to his abdomen. PMH/PSH: None Meds: None Social History: Lives in SF with girlfriend. Works for car rental agency (on his feet most of the day). Never smoked. Rare ETOH. No drugs. No exposures. Travelled briefly to Mexican resort a few months prior for holiday. Family History: Unremarkable; Mexican and Eastern European ancestry He comes into Urgent Care What else do you want to know?
Case #1 -- continued Over the next few days, the numbness ascended to his lower chest. His legs became heavy. It was harder to walk. On general exam, vitals were normal. Unremarkable. Neuro Exam: Normal tone in the arms, increased tone in the legs. Mild weakness in the left hip flexor (ileopsoas). Reflexes brisk in both the arms and legs. Decreased sensation to light touch, temperature and vibration to above the waist line. Where in the nervous system is his problem? What do you want to do to evaluate it?
Neurological Localization of Weakness Upper Motor Neuron (CNS) Lower Motor Neuron (PNS) Pattern of Weakness Pyramidal Variable Tone Increased (Spasticity) Decreased (Flaccid) Reflexes Increased Decreased, Absent or Normal Fine Motor Other Findings on Exam Slowed Alternating Movements (Finger tap/foot Tap) Babinski Sign Functional impairment is primarily due to weakness Atrophy, Fasciculations Modified from Ann Poncelet, MD, UCSF Neurology
Case #1 -- continued Over the next few days, the numbness ascended to his lower chest. His legs became heavy. It was harder to walk. On general exam, vitals were normal. Unremarkable. Neuro Exam: Normal tone in the arms, increased tone in the legs. Mild weakness in the left hip flexor (ileopsoas). Reflexes brisk in both the arms and legs. Decreased sensation to light touch, temperature and vibration to T6. Where in the nervous system is his problem? What do you want to do to evaluate it?
Case #1 -- Continued Localization: Spinal Cord (T6 or above, including C-spine) Most Likely Differential Diagnoses: Disc herniation, epidural abscess or hematoma, cord inflammation (myelitis)
Clinical Pearls: Spinal Cord MRI MRI is superior to all other imaging modalities for spinal cord pathology acute symptoms should be imaged acutely! The lesion can be at any level at or above the clinical localization (i.e. cervical cord lesions can spare the arms) A Lumbar Spinal MRI refers to the vertebrae, not the cord level, and MISSES the lower spinal segments. A thoracic spine MRI is needed to image the lower cord!
Case #1 -- Continued T2 Sagittal C-Spine T2 Axial C-Spine T1 Post-Gadolinium
Coronal FLAIR
Case #1 LP revealed 3 WBC, 29 RBC, normal glucose and protein. Normal IgG index. Oligoclonal bands were unfortunately not sent. Rule out labs for other causes of MS mimics were negative, including (Chest CT for sarcoidosis, Lyme, B12, ANA, SSA/B, APLAS antibodies). Diagnosis: Partial Myelitis from Relapsing-Remitting MS (given episode of thigh numbness in the past) He initiated treatment with IV pulse steroids then interferon beta-1a. Over the next 2 years, he suffered 2 recurrent episodes of myelitis.
Multiple Sclerosis An disorder of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM characterized by inflammation, demyelination and secondary nerve loss Second most common cause of disability in working age adults (the first is trauma) 3x more common in women than men More common in whites than other racial groups living in the same environment Complex genetic inheritance of immune-active genes (especially HLA) accounts for about 30% of the variance; environmental factors (sunlight, EBV, smoking, etc.) probably account for the rest
Curious Features of MS Epidemiology -MS prevalence increases with latitude -MS risk increases with reduced UV exposure -MS is less common in people born in early winter -MS relapses are more frequent in late spring than autumn (in the Northern Hemisphere)
Whites Blacks Munger, K. L. et al. JAMA 2006
Clinical Features of MS Lesions Disseminated in Space and Time (lasting more than 24 hours, 1 month apart, should have typical MRI changes, must have excluded other causes) Relapsing-Remitting or Progressive Disease Course Typical symptoms/syndromes include optic neuritis, myelitis, weakness, numbness, incoordination, double vision, urinary problems, fatigue, concentration/memory problems, depression Heat-sensitivity and Lhermitte s symptom are common
Classic MRI Features Axial FLAIR Sagittal FLAIR T1 Post-Contrast
Classic MRI Features
Acute Treatment of Relapses New neurological symptoms in an MS patient Evaluate Is MS relapse the most likely diagnosis? Not every symptom is due to MS! Check a Urinalysis/Culture Is this a Pseudo-Relapse? Is there functional impairment from this new deficit? If yes, treat with corticosteroids (usually IV) If no, then symptomatic management may be appropriate
Treatment to Prevent Relapses Treatment with disease-modifying therapy has been demonstrated in multiple randomized controlled trials to reduce relapse risk and delay disability Standard FDA-approved options include interferon-beta formulations, glutiramer acetate, natalizumab and fingolimod
Comprehensive Care for MS Patients 1) Disease-Modifying Therapy (monitoring) 2) Symptomatic considerations -- Depression -- Pain relief -- Fatigue -- Concentration/Attention/Memory -- Urinary/Bowel/Sexual Dysfunction -- PT/OT -- Adaptive Devices -- Reproductive Issues -- Social Services/Support
Clinical Case #2 51 yo man with MS comes to clinic complaining of worsening gait for the past year, now using a cane. First MS symptom 10 years prior when he developed leg numbness x 2 months, which remitted. Has had 3 relapses since characterized (respectively) by facial numbness, leg weakness/numbness and visual field cut. Tried interferon beta-1a but had severe flu-like side effects/depression. Briefly tried glutiramer acetate (daily injection) but severely needlephobic, not sustainable. Brain MRIs over the past year showed presence of new lesions, some of which evolved over time and appeared typical of demyelination. What do you recommend as the next step?
Clinical Case #2 Axial FLAIR
Clinical Case #2 Degenerative Spondylosis causing multilevel canal stenosis PEARLS 1) Patients are entitled to as many diagnoses as they please this is especially true in MS. 2) No MS patient should be allowed to progress to a cane or wheelchair without looking for treatable causes
Goals To review the fundamentals of neurological localization To learn when to suspect multiple sclerosis as the diagnosis in your patient To discuss how to optimize care for patients with known multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis Jeffrey M. Gelfand, MD UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center SFGH Neuroimmunology Clinic UCSF and SFGH Departments of Neurology