The syndrome of transient headache and neurological deficits with cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis mimicking an acute stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The syndrome of transient headache and neurological deficits with cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis (HaNDL) can present as sudden onset of focal neurological deficits which are clinically and radiologically indistinguishable from an ischaemic stroke. Its diagnosis requires a lumbar puncture (LP), which contraindicates intravenous thrombolytic therapy (IV-tPA). METHODS: All patients referred to our stroke centre as a stroke code resulting in a final diagnosis of HaNDL syndrome from June 2005 to June 2015 were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: Nine cases were identified: seven women and two men (mean age 27.6 years, range 15-51). Clinical onset consisted of isolated aphasia (two) and aphasia with right hemiparesis/hemiparaesthesia (seven). All patients had headache in the acute setting, lasting 2-12 h. Cranial computed tomography (CT) and CT angiography (CTA) were normal in all patients. Perfusion CT was performed in seven patients, showing left hemispheric focal hypoperfusion in five cases; the remaining two were normal. Five patients were initially diagnosed as stroke and treated uneventfully with IV-tPA. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging within 48 h was normal in all cases. LP performed in all patients showed pleocytosis (range 17-351 cells/mm(3) ), high protein levels (range 0.4-1.6 g/l) and normal glucose levels. All cases recovered within 12 h and suffered a second episode within 72 h. Patients were asymptomatic between episodes and after remission. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to thrombolyse or perform an LP in HaNDL patients mimicking a stroke is difficult in the acute setting. Perfusion CT can provide misleading results and CTA may be useful in ruling out occlusion of a cerebral vessel.

Limbic encephalitis: a clinical-radiological comparison between herpetic and autoimmune etiologies.

BACKGROUND: Herpetic (HE) and autoimmune (AE) encephalitis share clinical and radiological features. We compared both types of encephalitis with the aim of making a differential clinical-radiological pattern. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cases with a clinical diagnosis of encephalitis who attended our hospital between 1999 and 2012 were reviewed. We selected those cases with positive polymerase chain reaction for herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and those with antineuronal antibodies or paraneoplastic etiology. We compared epidemiological, clinical, CSF, electroencephalographic and radiological findings. RESULTS: Twelve patients with positive polymerase chain reaction for HSV-1, and 10 patients with antineuronal antibody or paraneoplastic etiology were found. The only features found exclusively in one group were the presence of psychiatric symptoms and tumors in AE. Acute onset of symptoms, fever and aphasia were more frequent in HE, which showed higher level of proteins and erythrocyte count in CSF. Neuroimaging was abnormal in all cases of HE, but only in 60% of AE. Insular and diffuse temporal lobe involvement and absence of basal ganglia involvement were more frequent in HE, and mesial temporal involvement in AE. The highest diagnostic values for differentiating HE from AE were the association of acute onset of symptoms and fever (sensitivity 0.92, specificity 1), and the absence of basal ganglia involvement (sensitivity 0.82, specificity 1). CONCLUSIONS: There are few differences between HE and AE. Psychiatric symptoms and association with tumors were unique for AE. Acute onset with fever and absence of basal ganglia involvement in magnetic resonance imaging support a diagnosis of HE.

Spinal cord infarction: aetiology, imaging findings, and prognostic factors in a series of 41 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord infarction is a rare disease with a high rate of morbidity. Its diagnosis can be challenging and controversy remains regarding the best treatment. Few case series have been published. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of cases of spinal cord infarction attended in a tertiary hospital from 1999 to 2020. Aetiology and clinical, imaging, and prognostic features were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (58.5% men, mean [standard deviation] age 61 [17] years) were included in the study. Thirty-one patients (75.6%) presented vascular risk factors. Motor deficits were recorded in 39 (95.1%), pain in 20 (48.8%), sensory deficits in 33 (80.4%), and autonomic dysfunction in 24 (58.5%). MRI was performed in 37 (90.2%) patients. Diffusion-weighted images were available for 12 patients, with 10 showing diffusion restriction. The thoracic region was the most frequently affected (68.2%). Vascular imaging studies were performed in 33 patients (80.4%). The most frequent aetiologies were aortic dissection (6 cases), atherosclerosis demonstrated by vascular imaging (6 cases), fibrocartilaginous embolism (6 cases), surgery (5 cases), and hypotension (4 cases). Aetiology was undetermined in 12 patients (29.3%), although 9 of these presented vascular risk factors. At the end of the follow-up period (median, 24 months; interquartile range, 3-70), 12 patients (29.2%) were able to walk without assistance. Vascular risk factors and paraparesis were significantly associated with poorer prognosis (P < .05). DISCUSSION: Spinal cord infarction may present diverse aetiologies, with the cause remaining undetermined in many patients. Long-term functional prognosis is poor, and depends on baseline characteristics and clinical presentation. MRI, and especially diffusion-weighted sequences, is useful for early diagnosis.

Spinal cord infarction: aetiology, imaging findings, and prognostic factors in a series of 41 patients. / Infarto medular: etiología, hallazgos radiológicos y factores pronósticos en una serie de 41 pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Spinal cord infarction is a rare disease with a high rate of morbidity. Its diagnosis can be challenging and controversy remains regarding the best treatment. Few case series have been published. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of cases of spinal cord infarction attended in a tertiary hospital from 1999 to 2020. Aetiology and clinical, imaging, and prognostic features were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-one patients (58.5% men, mean [standard deviation] age 61 [17] years) were included in the study. Thirty-one patients (75.6%) presented vascular risk factors. Motor deficits were recorded in 39 (95.1%), pain in 20 (48.8%), sensory deficits in 33 (80.4%), and autonomic dysfunction in 24 (58.5%). MRI was performed in 37 (90.2%) patients. Diffusion-weighted images were available for 12 patients, with 10 showing diffusion restriction. The thoracic region was the most frequently affected (68.2%). Vascular imaging studies were performed in 33 patients (80.4%). The most frequent aetiologies were aortic dissection (6 cases), atherosclerosis demonstrated by vascular imaging (6 cases), fibrocartilaginous embolism (6 cases), surgery (5 cases), and hypotension (4 cases). Aetiology was undetermined in 12 patients (29.3%), although 9 of these presented vascular risk factors. At the end of the follow-up period (median, 24 months; interquartile range, 3-70), 12 patients (29.2%) were able to walk without assistance. Vascular risk factors and paraparesis were significantly associated with poorer prognosis (P<.05). DISCUSSION: Spinal cord infarction may present diverse aetiologies, with the cause remaining undetermined in many patients. Long-term functional prognosis is poor, and depends on baseline characteristics and clinical presentation. MRI, and especially diffusion-weighted sequences, is useful for early diagnosis.

COVID-19 in Parkinson's disease: what holds the key?

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is more frequent in the elderly and increases the risk of respiratory infections. Previous data on PD and SARS-CoV-2 are scarce, suggesting a poor prognosis in advanced disease and second-line therapies. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study comparing patients with PD and COVID-19 and patients with PD without COVID-19 was conducted during the pandemic period in Spain (March 1st-July 31st 2020) in a tertiary university hospital. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (COVID-19 +) and 172 (COVID-19-) PD patients were included. Fifty-nine percent were males in both groups, with similar age (75.9 ± 9.0 COVID-19 + , 73.9 ± 10.0 COVID-19-), disease duration (8.9 ± 6.2 COVID-19 + , 8.5 ± 5.6 COVID-19-) and PD treatments. COVID-19 was mild in 10 (26%), required admission in 21 (54%) and caused death in 8 (21%) patients. Dementia was the only comorbidity more frequent in COVID-19 + patients (36% vs. 14%, p = 0.0013). However, in a multivariate analysis, institutionalization was the only variable associated with COVID-19 + (OR 17.0, 95% CI 5.0-60.0, p < 0.001). When considering severe COVID-19 (admission or death) vs. mild or absent COVID-19, institutionalization, neoplasm, dementia and a lower frequency of dopamine agonists were associated with severe COVID-19. In multivariate analysis, only institutionalization [OR 5.17, 95% CI 1.57-17, p = 0.004] and neoplasm [OR 8.0, 95%CI 1.27-49.8, p = 0.027] remained significantly associated. CONCLUSION: In our experience, institutionalization and oncologic comorbidity, rather than PD-related variables, increased the risk of developing COVID-19, and impacted on its severity. These findings suggest that epidemiologic factors and frailty are key factors for COVID-19 morbidity/mortality in PD. Appropriate preventive strategies should be implemented in institutionalized patients to prevent infection and improve prognosis.

Multiple sclerosis patients with anti-lipid oligoclonal IgM show early favourable response to immunomodulatory treatment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Interferon beta and Glatiramer acetate are safe immunomodulatory treatments (IT) for multiple sclerosis (MS), but not always effective. New drugs are available, although they show more side-effects and unknown long-term safety profile. Anti-lipid oligoclonal IgM bands (OCMB) distinguish MS patients with early aggressive course. We prospectively studied if IT are effective in these patients or if they are candidates for more aggressive drugs as first therapeutic option. METHODS: Seventy-five clinically isolated syndrome patients were studied. OCMB and conversion to MS were assessed. Patients suffering at least two demyelinating events within 3 years were considered eligible to start IT. RESULTS: Eighteen patients showed OCMB (M+) and 57 lacked them (M-). All M+ patients and only 25 M- patients were treated. The other 32 M- patients suffered less MS attacks than those required to initiate treatment. IT similarly reduced relapse rate in both treated groups (P < 0.0001) and reduced Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression in M+ patients, whose EDSS score had significantly increased before treatment. EDSS did not change in M- patients during follow-up, regardless if they were treated or not. CONCLUSIONS: Oligoclonal IgM bands identify MS patients who are candidates for early immunomodulatory treatment as IT improves their initial aggressive disease course.

[Bilateral papilloedema as the initial symptom of POEMS syndrome]. / Edema de papila bilateral como manifestación inicial de un síndrome de POEMS.

INTRODUCTION: Oedema of the papilla, or papilloedema, is usually due to intracranial hypertension, but can sometimes be the initial symptom of systemic diseases like Guillain-Barre syndrome, neurosarcoidosis, Leber's disease, Lyme disease or POEMS syndrome, among others. We report on a case that occurred at the Hospital General Universitario in Alicante, in which papilloedema was the initial symptom of POEMS syndrome. CASE REPORT: A 36-year-old female, with no relevant past history, who visited after suffering a left-side frontal oppressive headache for five days; onset was sudden, there was no concomitant nausea or vomiting, it did not get worse when Valsalva manoeuvres were performed and there were no other accompanying symptoms. The examination revealed nasal blurring in the visual field of the right eye and papilloedema in the left eye, hyperpigmentation of the skin on the face and upper chest area that respected creases in the skin, painful distal tactile hypaesthesia in the lower limbs and bilateral areflexia of Achilles' tendons and patellar hyperreflexia. After conducting a number of different complementary tests intracranial space-occupying lesions and intracranial hypotension were both ruled out and the patient was diagnosed with mixed-type sensory-motor chronic polyneuropathy in the upper limbs, and in the lower extremities with predominantly distal involvement, bilateral oedema of the papilla and skin photosensitivity. Two years later the patient had hepatomegaly, subclinical hypothyroidism and sclerodermiform alterations of the skin, which suggested a probable diagnosis of POEMS syndrome that was later confirmed by the presence of monoclonal component in blood and urine. CONCLUSIONS: Papilloedema is rarely seen as the initial symptom of POEMS syndrome, but it must be included in the differential diagnosis of this pathology due to the diagnostic and therapeutic implications it entails.

[Prevalence of neurosonographic disturbances in chronic instability]. / Prevalencia de alteraciones neurosonológicas en la inestabilidad crónica.

INTRODUCTION: Dizziness is a common symptom at the outpatient clinic of family doctors. Its origin is usually multifactorial and its outcome is often benign. However, exists a tendency to relate the dizziness with a cerebrovascular disturbance. AIM. To determine if there are cerebrovascular disorders in patients with chronic dizziness using a non invasive technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. It included 404 patients without limit of age. The patients were evaluated in a Neurology Outpatient Clinic, to select those patients with chronic instability. A neurosonographic exam was performed to all those selected patients. This exam included colour duplex of the cervical arteries and transcranial Doppler. RESULTS: Up to 54 % of the patients who were included in the study had a normal carotid study. For the rest of the patients, the thickness intima-media was the most prevalent finding. At the vertebrobasilar system the study of the vertebral arteries was completely normal in 81.7% followed by the presence of microangiopathy in 12.1%. The basilar system was also normal in a high figure (78%) followed by the microangiopathy (17.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The vascular disturbances in the vertebrobasilar system are an exceptional finding in patients with chronic instability.

[Cerebellar syndrome and myoclonus in a patient with adenocarcinoma of the colon]. / Síndrome cerebeloso y mioclonías en un paciente con adenocarcinoma de colón.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological paraneoplastic syndromes (NPS) are usually found in association with bronchogenic and gynecological tumors. Any part of the central or peripheral nervous system may be involved, and the clinical presentation may therefore take any of a large number of forms. Intestinal tumors rarely lead to NPS. We present the case of a patient with adenocarcinoma of the colon, in whom the first clinical sign was NPS. CLINICAL CASE: A 72 year old man presented with subacute onset of generalized myoclonus, predominantly of action, ataxia on walking and changes in speech associated with a constitutional syndrome. There were no ocular changes. Laboratory investigations including immunology, serology and tumour markers were normal. Anti-Hu, Yo and Ri antibodies were negative. Study of the CSF showed the blood-brain barrier to be damaged. Cranial MR, EEG, thoraco-abdominal CT and osseous gammagraphy showed no significant changes. On colonoscopy there was a tumour in the medial zone of the transverse colon (an adenocarcinoma). Treatment was started with high dose steroids and the condition progressively improved. After right hemicolectomy steroid treatment was stopped, and there was complete recovery of the condition. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of cerebellar syndromes and myoclonus of unknown aetiology should lead one to the diagnosis of a paraneoplastic syndrome. Adenocarcinoma of the colon should be included in the differential diagnosis.

[Clinical and neuroimaging findings in a family with CADASIL associated to C475T mutation]. / Hallazgos clínicos y de neuroimagen en una familia con CADASIL asociada a la mutación C475T.

INTRODUCTION: The term CADASIL (cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy) refers to an autosomal dominant hereditary arteriopathy of the brain that is characterised by headache, recurring strokes and progressive cognitive deterioration. We report the case of another family with CADASIL and emphasise the importance of a genetic study in its diagnosis. CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old female patient with repeating lacunar strokes, subcortical dementia and a family history of dementia and strokes. Neuroimaging studies conducted on the patient and her siblings showed signs of leukoencephalopathy and lacunar infarctions. The ultrastructural study of the biopsy performed on a sample of the patient's skin, which included five dermal vessels, did not show any electron-dense deposits. The genetic study revealed the presence of mutation C475T in exon 4 of NOTCH3. CONCLUSIONS: The possible presence of CADASIL must be suspected in patients with symptoms of cerebrovascular disease or dementia who present characteristic alterations in the magnetic resonance brain scan, especially when there is a compatible family history. The first choice diagnostic procedure must be a genetic study.

[An unusual presentation of herpetic encephalitis]. / Encefalitis herpética de presentación atípica.

INTRODUCTION: Herpetic encephalitis (HE) is the commonest cause of acute sporadic encephalitis in the United States and Europe. In 20% of cases, the clinical course is atypical and this may lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment. CLINICAL CASE: A 24 year old patient presented with aseptic meningitis, which had been present for the previous 10 days and which then became complicated by fever and aphasia. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed marked pleocytosis and increased protein. Cerebrospinal puncture was found to be positive for DNA of the herpes simplex virus. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed a temporal lesion with intense uptake of contrast. Treatment was started with acyclovir and the patient improved over the days following this. CONCLUSIONS: At present the diagnosis of herpetic encephalitis is based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies of the CSF and MR imaging. The correlation between patients with HE with cerebrospinal puncture showing positive for herpes and alterations on MR is 89%. In view of the 20% of atypical forms, a high degree of clinical suspicion is necessary to try to obtain early diagnosis and treatment.

[Cost effectiveness of the diagnostic study of dementia in an extra-hospital Neurology service]. / Rentabilidad del estudio diagnóstico de la demencia en una consulta extrahospitalaria de Neurología.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to analyse the cost effectiveness of the complementary tests in the diagnosis of reversible causes of dementia in an extra-hospital Neurology service. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients referred to the Neurology service from Primary Care with a diagnosis of dementia according to DSM-III-R criteria. The following routine complementary tests were performed: 1. Analyses, including blood count, biochemical study, vitamin B12 and folic levels, thyroid hormones, and syphilis serodiagnosis; 2. Neuroimaging study, consisting in computerised axial tomography or cranial magnetic resonance. RESULTS: A total of 269 consecutive patients diagnosed as suffering from dementia were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 74.5 years (49-94 years) and 61% were females. The most frequent cause of dementia was Alzheimer's disease (79.9%). In all, 31 patients presented potentially reversible conditions (11.5%), but if we exclude depression, the dementia was only reversible in one patient (0.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of patients with reversible causes of dementia in the field of extra-hospital neurology is low. The diagnostic study must be individualised according to the clinical suspicion.

[Massive cerebral infarction secondary to apoplexy due to pituitary adenoma]. / Infarto cerebral masivo secundario a apoplejía de un adenoma hipofisario.

INTRODUCTION: Pituitary apoplexy is a rare clinical entity. It is a rare cause of stroke, whose pathogenic mechanism has not been fully understood. Compression in intracavernous carotid artery and vasospastic mechanism have been described. It may initially begin as a meningeal syndrome, in which neuroimaging techniques may be fundamental, above all resonance magnetic imaging for a correct diagnosis of the disease and its complications. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 23 year-old male who suffered a massive stroke due to bilateral carotid compression in its intracavernous portion due to apoplexy of a previously unknown pituitary tumor. The diffusion sequences and acute angioresonance of the circle of Willis are presented. CONCLUSIONS: This is a rare entity with controversial management. An exhaustive review of cases and series of patients with pituitary apoplexy related stroke is also presented.

Influence of oligoclonal IgM specificity in multiple sclerosis disease course.

Oligoclonal IgM bands (OCMB) against myelin lipids predict an aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) course. However, the clinical significance of OCMB without lipid specificity, present in other MS patients, remains unknown. We describe here a characterization of these antibodies and study their role in MS progression. Fifty-four MS patients showing CSF-restricted OCMB were included in this study at disease onset and followed-up during 61.1 +/- 2.7 months. The specificity of OCMB and the CSF B-cell profile were investigated. A second CSF IgM study was performed in a group of eight patients. Thirty-eight patients showed OCMB against myelin lipids (M+L+) and other sixteen had OCMB lacking this specificity (M+L-). The CD5+ B cell subpopulation, responsible for most persistent IgM responses, was considerably higher in M+L+ than in M+L- patients (3.3 +/- 0.6% versus 0.8 +/- 0.2, P = 0.009). In addition, M+L+ bands persisted during disease course, while M+L- disappeared during follow-up. M+L+ patients suffered more relapses (4.2 +/- 0.6 versus 1.6 +/- 0.3, P = 0.002) and reached higher disability (EDSS score of 2.2 +/- 0.2 versus 1.2 +/- 0.2, P = 0.02) than M+L- group. These data corroborate that anti-lipid OCMB associate with an aggressive MS course and show that OCMB that do not recognize myelin lipids represent a transient immune response related to a more benign disease course.

[Influence of the experience and of out-of-hospital stroke code in thrombolytic treatment of acute stroke]. / Influencia de la curva de aprendizaje y del código ictus extrahospitalario en el tratamiento trombolítico del ictus agudo.

INTRODUCTION: We present the experience for thrombolytic treatment using recombinant tisular plasminogen activator (rt-PA) at a university hospital. We analyze the influence of individual and collective acquired experience and of the activation of an out-of-hospital stroke code (OSC) on the delays to onset of treatment, number of patients treated and outcome. METHOD: Prospective register of patients with ischemic stroke treated with rt-PA within the period 1/2004- 12/2006. Comparison of results between patients treated during the three years of study and based on the individual experience of the neurologist who applies the treatment and on the patients treated with or without activation of OSC. RESULTS: A total of 87 patients were treated (mean age: 66.6 +/- 13.7). Door-to-needle time was 79 +/- 21 min in 2004, 64 +/-22 in 2005 and 63 +/- 26 in 2006 (p=0.003). Experienced neurologists started thrombolysis sooner (door-to-needle time: 62 +/- 22 min vs 75 +/- 27, p=0.03). Activation of the ESC reduced door-to-needle time (53 +/ 17 min vs 65 +/- 21; p=0.032) and door-to-computed tomography scan time (21 +/- 10 min vs 29 +/-24; p=0.016). There were no differences in outcome in the different groups. CONCLUSIONS: Individual and collective acquired experience and the activation of an OSC can lower in-hospital delays. This contributes to increasing the number of patients eligible for thrombolysis. Thrombolytic therapy is safe and effective even when it is applied by inexperienced neurologists if strict guidelines are followed.

[Clinical variability and diagnostic controversies in CADASIL]. / Variabilidad clínica y controversias diagnósticas en el CADASIL.

Cardiovascular risk factors are present in 85% of patients with stroke. However, up to 6%-15% of patients have a stroke secondary to unusual reasons such as systemic diseases, coagulation disorders, etc., and, in some cases, no reason can be identified even after performing an extensive study. This usually happens in young people. In this regard, the diagnostic screening must consider hereditary causes of stroke. CADASIL, an autosomal dominant brain white matter angiopathy, is emerging as a not uncommon cause of stroke with diverse clinical manifestations. Its clinical diagnosis is controversial because of the diverse role of the brain imaging study, the biopsy of the vessels of skin or other tissues and the DNA study.

[Thrombolytic treatment in acute ischemic stroke in a center without previous experience. Development of internal organization and first results]. / Tratamiento trombolítico del ictus isquémico agudo en un centro sin experiencia previa. Desarrollo de la organización interna y primeros resultados.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Treatment of acute ischemic stroke within three hours with intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) has been recently approved by the European Drug Agency. We present the development of an internal organization system that has permitted thrombolytic treatment in our center without previous experience as well as the results of the first year. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Development of the thrombolysis educational program for the staff informed, of the internal organization system, and combined care protocols among the participating services. Prospective registry of patients treated with t-PA within the period 1/2004-2/2006. We collected demographic data, stroke assessment scales score (NIHSS), time to treatment, seven day and three months mortality, symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation, systemic bleedings, functional independency at three months, early significant improvement and significant deterioration. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients were treated. Mean age: 65 +/- 13 years; 56% women. Mean NIHSS pre-treatment: 14 +/- 4.7. Mean time to hospital arrival: 62 +/- 40 minutes; door-to-treatment: 68 +/- 22 minutes, and mean time from stroke onset to treatment: 130 +/- 31 minutes. Symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation: 5.8%. Systemic bleeding: 3.8%. Seven day mortality: 5.6%; three months mortality: 15.1%. Early significant improvement: 51%. Significant neurological deterioration: 7.5%. Functional independency at three months: 51%. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of acute ischemic stroke within three hours with intravenous t-PA is safe and is associated with a favourable outcome when it is applied by neurologists specifically trained in acute stroke management.

Clinically isolated syndromes: a new oligoclonal band test accurately predicts conversion to MS.

BACKGROUND: Patients with a clinically isolated demyelinating syndrome (CIS) are at risk of developing a second attack, thus converting into clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS). Therefore, an accurate prognostic marker for that conversion might allow early treatment. Brain MRI and oligoclonal IgG band (OCGB) detection are the most frequent paraclinical tests used in MS diagnosis. A new OCGB test has shown high sensitivity and specificity in differential diagnosis of MS. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of the new OCGB method and of current MRI criteria (MRI-C) to predict conversion of CIS to CDMS. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with CIS were studied with OCGB detection and brain MRI, and followed up for 6 years. The sensitivity and specificity of both methods to predict conversion to CDMS were analyzed. RESULTS: OCGB detection showed a sensitivity of 91.4% and specificity of 94.1%. MRI-C had a sensitivity of 74.23% and specificity of 88.2%. The presence of either OCGB or MRI-C studied simultaneously showed a sensitivity of 97.1% and specificity of 88.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of oligoclonal IgG bands is highly specific and sensitive for early prediction of conversion to multiple sclerosis. MRI criteria have a high specificity but less sensitivity. The simultaneous use of both tests shows high sensitivity and specificity in predicting clinically isolated demyelinating syndrome conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis.