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

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.