Brain lesion distribution criteria distinguish demyelinating diseases in China

OBJECTIVE: To verify the utility of brain lesion distribution criteria in distinguishing multiple sclerosis (MS) from aquaporin‐4 (AQP4)‐immunoglobulin G (IgG)‐positive/‐negative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein IgG‐associated encephalomyelitis (MOG‐EM) in the Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 253 patients with MS (80), NMOSD (129 AQP4‐IgG positive, 34 AQP4‐IgG negative), and MOG‐EM (10) were enrolled. Anonymized magnetic resonance imaging results were scored on the previous reported criteria of “at least one lesion adjacent to the body of the lateral ventricle and in the inferior temporal lobe; or the presence of a subcortical U‐fiber lesion; or a Dawson’s finger‐type lesion.” Chi‐squared test (or Fisher’s exact test) was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The distribution criteria were able to distinguish MS with a same sensitivity of 93.8% from all type of NMOSD and MOG‐EM, with a specificity of 89.7% from the whole NMOSD cohort, 89.1% from AQP4‐IgG‐positive NMOSD 91.2% from AQP4‐IgG‐negative NMOSD, and 70.0% from MOG‐EM. Dawson's finger‐type lesion was the most sensitive and specific feature, whereas the U‐fiber lesion was the least. CONCLUSION: The brain lesion distribution criteria were helpful in distinguishing MS from NMOSD and MOG‐EM in the Chinese population. Dawson's finger‐type lesion was highly suggestive of MS.