RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A study of oligoclonal band negative multiple sclerosis.
JF Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
JO J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 27
OP 30
DO 10.1136/jnnp.60.1.27
VO 60
IS 1
A1 A Z Zeman
A1 D Kidd
A1 B N McLean
A1 M A Kelly
A1 D A Francis
A1 D H Miller
A1 B E Kendall
A1 P Rudge
A1 E J Thompson
A1 W I McDonald
YR 1996
UL http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/60/1/27.abstract
AB OBJECTIVES--To determine whether oligoclonal band (OCB) negative multiple sclerosis is a reliable diagnosis and, if so, whether it has a distinctive prognosis. METHODS--Retrospective and matched prospective comparison of the clinical and laboratory features of patients with clinical definite multiple sclerosis with and without intrathecal synthesis of oligoclonal IgG. RESULTS--Thirty four patients were identified with apparent OCB negative clinically definite multiple sclerosis. The results of oligoclonal banding proved to have been equivocal in 14 of 34; the clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was questionable in 8 of 34. The remaining 12 patients with "true" OCB negative multiple sclerosis were significantly less disabled than matched OCB positive controls. Re-examination of CSF-serum pairs from six OCB negative patients showed that three remained OCB negative while three showed evidence of intrathecal synthesis of OCBs. CONCLUSIONS--OCB negative clinically definite multiple sclerosis is rare and should be diagnosed with caution; in unequivocal cases it seems to have a relatively benign prognosis.