Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis of Early Markers of Upper Cervical Cord Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

PURPOSE: To quantitatively analyze the C2/C3 segments of the spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients in their first five years of the disease and to investigate the intergroup differences regarding markers of spinal cord atrophy and their correlations with expanded disability status scale (EDSS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty NMOSD patients and twenty RRMS patients, within their first five years of the disease, were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All patients underwent spinal cord MR imaging using 1.5 Tesla systems, and C2/C3 portions of the spinal cord were segmented in the obtained scans. C2/C3 anteroposterior diameter (C2/C3 SC-APD), transversal diameter (C2/C3 SC-TD), and cross-sectional area (C2/C3 SC-CSA) were quantitatively measured using Spinal Cord Toolbox v.4.3. RESULTS: Three NMOSD patients were seropositive for anti-AQP4 IgG. The mean C2/C3 SC-CSA in NMOSD patients was significantly lower than in RRMS patients. NMOSD patients had significantly lower C2/C3 SC-TDs than RRMS patients. With the three anti-AQP4+ patients excluded from the analysis, C2/C3 SC-TD was negatively correlated with EDSS. CONCLUSION: In the early stages of the disease, quantitative evaluation of C2/C3 spinal cord parameters, including cross-sectional area and transversal diameter in NMOSD patients, appears to be of potential diagnostic and prognostic value.