Brighter spotty lesions on spinal MRI help differentiate AQP4 antibody-positive NMOSD from MOGAD

Abstract

In a large acute myelitis cohort, we aimed to determine whether brighter spotty lesions (BSLs)-using the refined terminology-on spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) help distinguish aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (AQP4-NMOSD) from myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease (MOGAD). An experienced neuro-radiologist and two neurologists independently analyzed 133 spinal MRI scans (65 from MOGAD and 68 from AQP4-NMOSD) acquired within 1 month of attacks. BSLs were observed in 18 of 61 (30%) participants with AQP4-NMOSD, while none of 49 participants with MOGAD showed BSL (<i>p</i> < 0.001). BSL during the acute phase would be useful to differentiate AQP4-NMOSD from MOGAD.