Multiple sclerosis in a series of Sri Lankan patients - Clinical and radiological characteristics

Background and Objectives: Studies on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Asian populations reveal that the clinical and profi le of MS is different from the classical prototypic MS described in the West. This study aimed to identify the epidemiology, presentations and radiological features and MS patients in Sri Lanka. Methods: This was a retrospective cross sectional study in patients presenting with MS to the Institute of Neurology, National Hospital of Sri Lanka from January 2007 to October 2011. The diagnosis of MS was based on the 2010 revised McDonald’s criteria. Patients with NMO spectrum disorder is excluded in the study. Results: The study population consisted of 27 patients. Of these 17 were females (63%). The mean age at fi presentation was 33.8 years. Presentations were cerebral motor defi cits (20), optic neuritis (15), cerebellar syndrome (14), cerebral sensory defi cits (11), transverse myelitis (9), and brainstem syndromes (8). Relapsing and remitting was the commonest pattern of disease (16/27). MRI analysis revealed signifi cant periventricular (33.78%) and juxtacortical (29.72%) involvement. Conclusion: When NMO spectrum disorder is excluded, the clinical and radiological manifestations of MS in this study population in Sri Lanka share many features similar to the prototypic MS seen in the West.