MR imaging findings of the corpus callosum region in the differentiation between multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate MR imaging findings in corpus callosum region for the discrimination between opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Materials and methods: Forty-two definite OSMS with seronegative NMO-IgG and 23 NMO with seropositive NMO-IgG, and 27 age-matched normal controls (NC) were recruited. Sagittal T2-FLAIR images with 2-mm slice thickness were obtained. Subcallosal dot-dash (SCDD) sign and subcallosal striations (SCS) sign were reviewed.

Results: SCDD was more commonly detected in OSMS (28 of 42 patients) than in NMO (5 of 23 patients) (P<0.05). SCS showed no difference between OSMS (31 of 42 patients) and NMO (12 of 23 patients) (P>0.05). For comparing ROC analysis among SCDD, SCS, and SCDD+SCS for predicted probability through binary logistic regression analysis, SCDD+SCS had the largest area under ROC curve (0.777) than SCDD (0.725) and SCS (0.608).

Conclusion: SCDD may be helpful in distinguishing OSMS from NMO. The regression equation may also be a simple and effective method of choice for the differentiation between OSMS and NMO.