Spinal Cord Imaging in Patients with Radiologically Isolated Syndrome

Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) describes individuals with incidental findings highly suggestive of demyelinating lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — i.e., periventricular, ovoid, juxtacortical, gadolinium-enhancing, or posterior fossa lesions (Neurology 2009; 72:800). Whether to treat such asymptomatic or “presymptomatic” individuals remains controversial.

To examine the predictive value of spinal cord lesions in patients with RIS, researchers identified 71 patients who had spinal cord imaging, out of 102 who had received a diagnosis of RIS after brain MRI for headaches, trauma, syncope, volunteering as a “healthy” control for research, or other reasons. Cervical cord was imaged in all 71 patients and thoracic cord in 17 of…