This study aimed to identify the clinical significance of iron rim lesions (IRLs) in distinguishing multiple sclerosis (MS) from other central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating diseases, determine the relationship between IRLs and disease severity, and understand the long-term dynamic changes in IRLs in MS. We retrospectively evaluated 76 patients with CNS demyelinating diseases. CNS demyelinating diseases were classified into three groups: MS (n = 30), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (n = 23), and other CNS demyelinating diseases (n = 23). MRI images were obtained using conventional 3T MRI including susceptibility-weighted imaging. Sixteen of 76 patients (21.1%) had IRLs. Of the 16 patients with IRLs, 14 were in the MS group (87.5%), indicating that IRLs were significantly specific for MS. In the MS group, patients with IRLs had a significantly higher number of total WMLs, experienced more frequent recurrence, and were treated more with second-line immunosuppressive agents than were patients without IRLs. In addition to IRLs, T1-blackhole lesions were observed more frequently in the MS group than in the other groups. IRLs are specific for MS and could represent a reliable imaging biomarker to improve the diagnosis of MS. Additionally, the presence of IRLs seems to reflect more severe disease progression in MS.
The occurrence of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rarely been reported. We describe two patients who were diagnosed with CIDP after COVID-19 vaccination. A 72-year-old man presented with a progressive tingling sensation and weakness below both knees for two weeks. He had been vaccinated against COVID-19 (mRNA-1273 vaccine) a month before the appearance of symptoms. Demyelinating polyneuropathy was observed in the nerve conduction studies (NCS). Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was administered under the diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and his symptoms were improved. However, his symptoms relapsed at 10 weeks from the onset. Oral prednisolone, azathioprine, and IVIg were administered as treatment. The second case was a 50-year-old man who complained of a bilateral leg tingling sensation and gait disturbance lasting four weeks. He had received the Ad26.COV2.S vaccine against COVID-19 five weeks prior. Demyelinating polyneuropathy was observed in the NCS. He was treated with oral prednisolone, azathioprine, and IVIg for CIDP because his symptoms had lasted for more than 12 weeks from the onset. A causal relationship has not been established between COVID-19 vaccination and CIDP; however, CIDP may follow COVID-19 vaccination. As CIDP treatment is different from that for GBS, clinicians should closely monitor patients diagnosed with GBS associated with COVID-19 whether they deteriorate after initial treatment.
Noninvasive stimulation of the nervous system for treating chronic neuropathic pain has received attention because of its tolerability and relative efficacy. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a representative method of noninvasive brain stimulation. Evidence-based guidelines on therapeutic use of rTMS have been proposed recently for several neurological diseases. These guidelines recommend treating neuropathic pain by applying high-frequency (≥ 5 Hz) rTMS to the primary motor cortex contralateral to the painful side. This review summarizes the mechanisms and guidelines of rTMS for treating neuropathic pain, and proposes directions for future research.
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