A case of multiple sclerosis presenting with inflammatory cortical demyelination

B. F.Gh Popescu, R. F. Bunyan, J. E. Parisi, R. M. Ransohoff, C. F. Lucchinetti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To describe a patient presenting with a clinically silent, incidentally found, and pathologically confirmed active demyelinating solitary cortical lesion showing MRI gadolinium contrast enhancement, in whom biopsy was performed before the radiographic appearance of disseminated white matter lesions. METHODS:: Neurologic examination, MRI, CSF and serologic analyses, and brain biopsy were performed. Sections of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsied brain tissue were stained with histologic and immunohistochemical stains. Results: Biopsy revealed an inflammatory subpial lesion containing lymphocytes and myelin-laden macrophages. Recurrent relapses with dissemination of MRI-typical white matter lesions characterized the subsequent course. Conclusions: Our findings highlight that cortical demyelination occurs on a background of inflammation and suggest that the noninflammatory character of chronic cortical demyelination may relate to long intervals between lesion formation and autopsy. This case provides pathologic evidence of relapsing-remitting MS presenting with inflammatory cortical demyelination and emphasizes the importance of considering demyelinating disease in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with a solitary cortical enhancing lesion.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1705-1710
Number of pages6
JournalNeurology
Volume76
Issue number20
DOIs
StatePublished - May 17 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

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