Optic Nerve Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

Abstract

Optic neuritis is a common feature in multiple sclerosis and in 2 other autoimmune demyelinating disorders such as aquaporin-4 IgG antibody-associated neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease. Although serologic testing is critical for differentiating these different autoimmune-mediated disorders, MR imaging, which is the preferred imaging modality for assessing the optic nerve, can provide valuable information, suggesting a specific diagnosis and guiding the appropriate serologic testing.

Keywords: Aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder; MR imaging; Multiple sclerosis; Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease; Optic nerve; Optic neuritis; Optical coherence tomography.