Multiple Sclerosis

Jeffrey M. Gelfand, MDUCSF 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 #126 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 -- continuedOver 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 Slowed Alternating Movements

(Finger tap/Foot Tap)

Functional impairment is primarily due to

weakness

Other Findings on Exam

Babinski Sign Atrophy, Fasciculations

Modified from Ann Poncelet, MD, UCSF Neurology

Case #1 -- continuedOver 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!

T2 Sagittal C-Spine T2 Axial C-Spine T1 Post-Gadolinium

Case #1 -- Continued

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

Axial FLAIR Sagittal FLAIR T1 Post-Contrast

Classic MRI Features

Classic MRI Features

Acute Treatment of RelapsesNew 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 Patients1) 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 #251 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 needle-phobic, 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?

Axial FLAIR

Clinical Case #2

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, MDUCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center

SFGH Neuroimmunology Clinic

UCSF and SFGH Departments of Neurology