Analysis of Reports of Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Exams of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis of the Instituto De Neurologia De Goiânia

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis is the most common of the demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system and is characterized by its nonspecific clinical aspects which makes the diagnosis difficult. The magnetic resonance is a highly sensitive method for detection of typical lesions of multiple sclerosis, for this reason the aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the reports of brain magnetic resonance exams of patients attended at the resonance service of the Instituto de Neurologia de Goiânia, in order to determine the incidence of positive cases for multiple sclerosis, and trace the epidemiological and socioeconomic profile of these patients. From the data analyzed, it was found that the incidence of diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was quite relevant in our sample, because not long ago the disease was considered rare in Brazil. There was a predominance in females and caucasians and the mean age observed among the patients of the study was 35.2 years. The socioeconomic conditions of patients analyzed in general are good. It is hoped that this study could contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiological characteristics of brazilian patients with multiple sclerosis, and also mobilize entities able to offer free magnetic resonance exams for the entire population.