A window into the future? MRI for evaluation of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder throughout the disease course

Jacqueline M Solomon; Friedemann Paul; Claudia Chien; Jiwon Oh; Dalia L Rotstein

doi:10.1177/17562864211014389

A window into the future? MRI for evaluation of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder throughout the disease course

Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2021 May 9:14:17562864211014389. doi: 10.1177/17562864211014389. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Jacqueline M Solomon¹, Friedemann Paul², Claudia Chien², Jiwon Oh¹, Dalia L Rotstein³

Affiliations

¹ University of Toronto, Department of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada.
² Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
³ St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Shuter 3-018, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada.

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a relapsing, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system marked by relapses often associated with poor recovery and long-term disability. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recognized as an important tool for timely diagnosis of NMOSD as, in combination with serologic testing, it aids in distinguishing NMOSD from possible mimics. Although the role of MRI for disease monitoring after diagnosis is not as well established, MRI may provide important prognostic information and help differentiate between relapses and pseudorelapses. Increasing evidence of subclinical disease activity and the emergence of newly approved, highly effective immunotherapies for NMOSD adjure us to re-evaluate MRI as a tool to guide optimal treatment selection and escalation throughout the disease course. In this article we review the role of MRI in NMOSD diagnosis, prognostication, disease monitoring, and treatment selection.

Keywords: MRI; NMOSD; disease activity; prognosis.

Publication types

Review