Re: Oligoclonal Bands in CSF

Posted By CCF Neuro MD on July 03, 1997 at 19:41:00:

In Reply to: Oligoclonal Bands in CSF posted by Rosie Billington on June 26, 1997 at 09:34:45:







: I know that Oligoclonal bands are found in 90% of MS patients.    Can they
be found in any other disorders ?  I have Transverse Myelitis at L1-L3,
diagnosed in 12/96 and the CSF showed up oligoclonal bands.   The MRI has
shown only the one lesion and the visual evoked potentials were negative.
I understand that diagnosis of MS depends on occururence at more than one
site over more than one occasion, but I need to understand what are my
chances realistically.    Of possible interest is that my father has MS.
Thanks in advance !
Rosie



    =
Dear Rosie:
I must complement you for asking such a pertinent, precisely worded question. Your concept about the principles of MS diagnosis is correct. Acute transverse myelitis can indeed be the presenting or first event of MS. Contrarily, it can be an isolated event ("post-infectious" or "monophasic" demyelination). Overall, it is believed that less than half of the cases presenting with transverse myelitis eventually develop MS over the next several years. The importance or value of the presence of oligoclonal bands (OBs) in the CSF in predicting this risk of developing MS in an individual patient with isolated transverse myelitis is not precisely known. A study of isolated optic neuritis (another MS presentation) indicates that the presence of OBs in the CSF does indeed predict progression to MS, although this effect might not be independent of a similar predictive effect seen with a positive MRI. Smaller, less definitive studies, prospective and retrospective, addressing other isolated demyelination syndromes including transverse myelitis may suggest a similar conclusion. Oligoclonal bands in the CSF are very common in MS, but are also seen in a smaller proportion of patients with a variety of infections and inflammations of the nervous system which need to be looked for, if felt indicated, in an individual case.
The risk of developing MS of a first-degree relative of a known MS patient is quoted as being 1 to 3 percent.
I hope this answers some of your questions. In case you live near the Cleveland area and want a second opinion, any of the neurologists at the Mellen Center for MS would be glad to see you. The Mellen Center is one of the largest institutions in the US dedicated to MS research and to the multidisciplinary care of MS patients. It is affiliated to the Cleveland Clinic. To make an appointment you would want to call [phone], or [phone].
This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.