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. 2020 Jul;20(4):380-383.
doi: 10.7861/clinmed.2020-0292.

Clinical presentation and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

Helen Ford  1
Affiliations

Clinical presentation and diagnosis of multiple sclerosis

Helen Ford. Clin Med (Lond). 2020 Jul.

Abstract

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is through clinical assessment and supported by investigations. There is no single accurate and reliable diagnostic test. MS is a disease of young adults with a female predominance. There are characteristic clinical presentations based on the areas of the central nervous system involved, for example optic nerve, brainstem and spinal cord. The main pattern of MS at onset is relapsing-remitting with clinical attacks of neurological dysfunction lasting at least 24 hours. The differential diagnosis includes other inflammatory central nervous system disorders. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and lumbar puncture are the key investigations. New diagnostic criteria have been developed to allow an earlier diagnosis and thus access to effective disease modifying treatments.

Keywords: MS; Multiple sclerosis; neurology.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Multiple sclerosis disease course.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Multiple sclerosis.
    Kausar SA. Kausar SA. Clin Med (Lond). 2020 Sep;20(5):e138-e139. doi: 10.7861/clinmed.Let.20.5.7. Clin Med (Lond). 2020. PMID: 32934059 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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