Distinguishing MS from Acquired Demyelinating Syndrome in Children

Pediatric demyelinating disease specialists have proposed several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria for early differentiation of multiple sclerosis (MS) from a monophasic acquired demyelinating syndrome (ADS). For this multicenter, longitudinal, prospective study, researchers recruited 284 patients with ADS who were younger than 16 years. MRI was performed by a standardized protocol at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months; additional MRIs were done either annually or when clinically indicated. MS was diagnosed at the time of a second episode of demyelination — defined as a new clinical event or new MRI lesions. The researchers used a detailed, 14-parameter scoring system to characterize each MRI scan.

During a mean follow-up of 3.9 years, 2…