Brain magnetic resonance imaging features in MS and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) patients with or without aquaporin-4 antibody in a Latin American population

SILVERA, F; SOTO DE CASTILLO, I; CRISTIANO, E.; DOS SANTOS, A.C; MOLINA, O; ROJAS, J.I.; DACCACH MARQUES, V; CASTILLO, M.C; BRAGA DIEGUES, G; PATRUCCO, L.; CARNERO CONTENTTI, E; SANCHEZ, F; CARIDE, A; AQUINO CRUZ, C; LAVIGNE MOREIRA, C; PETTINICCHI, J.P

Estocolmo

Congreso; ECTRIMS 2019; 2019

European Comitee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS)

There is scarce evidence comparing the behaviour in the magnetic resonance (MR) between positive and negative aquaporin-4 antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (P-NMOSD and N-NMOSD respectively and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The aim of the study was to describe and compare the MR features through a quantitative and qualitative analysis, between P-NMOSD; N-NMOSD and MS patients in a cohort from Latin American (LATAM). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the MR and the medical records of NMOSD defined by the 2015 validated diagnostic criteria and MS patients with at least 3 years of follow-up since disease onset (first symptom). We included patients from Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela. To be included, NMOSD patients must had AQP4-ab status measured by a cell-based assay (CBA). Brain MRs were obtained for each participant at disease onset and every 12 months for 3 years. Demographics, clinical and MR variables (brain volume lesions (BVL), whole brain (HB), deep grey matter volumes (DGMV), cortical thickness (CT), and year percentage of brain volume change (PBVC)) was analyzed and compared between groups (P-NMOSD; N-NMOSD and MS). Results: We included 24 P-NMOSD, 15 N-NMOSD and 35 MS patients. No differences in age, gender and follow-up time was observed between groups. No differences were also observed in quantitative and qualitative MR variables between P-NMOSD and N-NMOSD patients (BVL p=0.43, HB p= 0.32, DGMV p=0.28, CT p=0.12 and PBVC p=0.45 as well as lesion distribution). A significant reduction in cortical thickness (p=0.001), HB (p=0.0012) and PBVC (p= 0.01) was observed in MS compared with NMOSD patients. Conclusions: Significant differences were observed in MRI between MS and NMOSD patients, however no quantitative neither qualitative difference were observed between P-NMOSD and N-NMOSD patients being impossible to differentiate this condition by means of the MRI.Disclosure: Authors declare no conflict of interest