Pathophysiology
1) marked by selective demyelination of CNS 2) cause is unknown; likely the four forms (relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive, and progressive relapsing) have different causes 3) several conditions mimic MS (e.g., Lyme disease), which may lead to a misdiagnosis 4) diagnostic confusion arises because MS is a clinical diagnosis (as is Lyme disease) and there are no specific test that reliably diagnose either one 5) some cases of MS are likely autoimmune in a genetically susceptible patient with an environmental exposure (infectious or sexually transmitted)
Signs and Symptoms
1) limb weakness 2) spasticity 3) hyperreflexia 4) sensory loss and paresthesias 5) optic neuritis and diplopia 6) ataxia 7) vertigo 8) internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) 9) nystagmus 10) sensation of body parts being tightly wrapped, swollen, raw, or wet 11) bladder dysfunction 12) cognitive dysfunction – memory loss, emotional lability, depression 13) fatigue
Characteristic Test Findings
Laboratory – 1) CSF show increased intrathecally synthesized IgG, oligoclonal banding, and increased mononuclear cells
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