Bochum ultrasound score allows distinction of chronic inflammatory from multifocal acquired demyelinating polyneuropathies

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences 2015-01, Vol.348 (1), p.211-215
• Main Authors: Kerasnoudis, A, Pitarokoili, K, Gold, R, Yoon, M.-S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Bochum ultrasound score; Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy; Demyelinating Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Demyelinating Diseases - physiopathology; Double-Blind Method; Female; Health Status Indicators; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motor Neurons; Multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy; Multifocal motor neuropathy; Nerve ultrasound; Neural Conduction - physiology; Neurology; Nuclear polyhedrosis virus; Polyneuropathies; Polyneuropathies - diagnostic imaging; Polyneuropathies - physiopathology; Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating - diagnostic imaging; Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating - physiopathology; Radial Nerve - diagnostic imaging; Radial Nerve - physiopathology; Sensitivity and Specificity; Spinal Nerves - diagnostic imaging; Spinal Nerves - physiopathology; Sural Nerve - diagnostic imaging; Sural Nerve - physiopathology; Ulnar Nerve - diagnostic imaging; Ulnar Nerve - physiopathology; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2014.12.010

Abstract Objective The aim of this observational study was to evaluate the applicability of a recently introduced ultrasound score (Bochum ultrasound score; BUS) in distinguishing the chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) from the multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) or the multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy (MADSAM). Methods The BUS underwent prospective evaluation of its applicability in a group of 13 patients (mean age 47.2, SD ± 13.7, 9 women), who were referred to our department between January 2012 and August 2013 with the clinical picture of a chronic symmetrical or asymmetrical sensory/sensorimotor neuropathy. Results The cut-off value of ≥ 2 points in the “Bochum ultrasound score” showed a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 87.5% (PPV = 80%, NPV = 87.5%) in distinguishing CIDP from MMN or MADSAM. Conclusions The BUS seems to allow a reliable distinction of CIDP from multifocal acquired demyelinating polyneuropathies causing predominantly motor nerve dysfunction, such as MMN or MADSAM. Our ultrasound findings indicate a stronger relationship of MADSAM to MMN, than to CIDP.