Characteristics and distinctiveness of multiple sclerosis in children in magnetic resonance imaging

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) in children is a demyelinating disease of a central nervous system (CNS), whose clinical symptoms and results of imagining examinations differ from those found in adults, and therefore requires different criteria of diagnosis. The method of choice in MS imaging in children is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to present the characteristics of paediatric MS in MRI brain scan. Material/Methods: MRI brain scans of 20 children aged 11-17 with diagnosed MS were analyzed. The compliance of MRI brain scans with KIDMUS criteria from 2008 was stated along with the location and morphology of plaques of demyelination. Results: In the examined group all three KIDMUS criteria required for MS diagnosis were met by 45% of children, and two criteria by 50% of children. The average size of the demyelination plaque was 9 mm. Giant foci were not observed. As much as 95% of lesions were located in periventricular white matter, 40% of lesions in brainstem, 25% in cerebellum and 5% in thalamus. Conclusions: The image of changes in MRI brain scan in children presents a wide range of differences. For a correct diagnosis and implementation of suitable treatment it is necessary to learn them. This is particularly important in this age group due to an early development of disability.