Optic neuritis: laboratory tests for diagnosis and prognosis for the development of multiple sclerosis

The probability of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) following uncomplicated retrobulbar optic neuritis (RBN) when toxic, degenerative, vascular, compressive causes are excluded, varies in different reports1-3, ranging from 13% (Kurland4) to 85% (McAlpine5). The risk seems to be related to the histocompatibility antigens3,6 which seem to greatly influence the possibility of developing MS in the years following RBN (70% for BT 101 carriers instead of the 20% for non-carriers)7,8. Our report extends a previous observation9 and deals with: (1) the comparison of electrophysiological and ophthalmological tests in the assessment of damage to the optic pathways; (2) the application of electrophysiological tests for MS and CSF examination in patients with RBN, to detect the possible role of an underlying demyelinating pathogenesis.