XXXX : clinical experience and diagnostic pitfalls.

@entity1 @entity129 @entity75 @entity7993 @entity617
OBJECTIVE: To describe a group of @entity1 with @entity7993 and to highlight diagnostic difficulties based on current diagnostic criteria. METHODS: The @entity1 database of a general neurological department was searched for @entity1 with established or suspected diagnosis of @entity7993 . Twenty-four @entity1 were identified with definite (n = 3), probable (n = 10) and possible @entity7993 (n = 10). History and clinical, laboratory and imaging data of @entity1 with definite and probable @entity7993 were analyzed. RESULTS: @entity129 were a dominant clinical feature, with the optic nerve being affected most frequently. Cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis was found in more than half of the patients. Intrathecal IgG synthesis and oligoclonal bands were less frequent. There was a wide array of @entity75 in both groups. Chest X-ray was false negative in 2 of 5 @entity1 who also underwent a thoracic CT. Therapy with @entity617 was initiated in all @entity1 . After a median of 36 months, 6 of 8 @entity1 with follow-up data of >24 months were still in remission. Aggravation of symptoms required therapy escalation in 2 @entity1 . CONCLUSION: There is a wide range of clinical symptoms and test results in @entity1 with "definite" or "probable" @entity7993 . Because systemic involvement is a crucial diagnostic criterion, extensive medical work-up may be necessary. Prognosis under corticosteroid treatment may be better than previously thought.
