Eccentric development of Balo's concentric sclerosis: detected by magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Baló's concentric sclerosis - A rare entity within the spectrum of demyelinating diseases

Baló's concentric sclerosis (BCS) is a rare, inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Historically, BCS was thought to be uniformly fatal and diagnosis was based on postmortem findings. With advances in modern neuroimaging, BCS is currently defined by the presence of concentric layered patterns composed of alternating rings of varying intensity. They are best appreciated on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted sequences and predominantly occur in the supratentorial cerebral white matter with sparing of cortical U-fibers. The lamellar pattern of the lesions likely reflects bands of demyelination and relative myelin preservation with minimal axonal loss. While BCS falls within the spectrum of atypical demyelinating diseases, there is ongoing debate over whether BCS is a phenotypical variant of multiple sclerosis (MS) or a separate entity. Corticosteroids comprise first-line therapy but there is ongoing controversy regarding appropriate maintenance therapy. First-line MS disease-modifying therapies such as interferon beta-1a are appropriate for patients who fulfill diagnostic criteria for relapsing-remitting MS. Fingolimod should likely be avoided as Baló-like lesions have been reported during its administration or after withdrawal. Monoclonal antibodies such as natalizumab and rituximab are potentially effective at reducing BCS relapses, but alemtuzumab may be relatively ineffective because humoral immunity does not play a central role in BCS pathogenesis.

From Baló's concentric sclerosis to multiple sclerosis: a series of 6 patients

INTRODUCTION

Baló's concentric sclerosis (BCS) is a rare CNS disorder characterized by alternating bands of demyelination on MRI. One of the main issues is its relationship with multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVES

To describe 6 BCS patients. To review the risk of developing MS in BCS patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively recorded clinical and radiological findings of 6 BCS patients and performed a review of the literature.

RESULTS

Six patients (5 women) with a mean age of 25 years old were included. Main symptoms were hemiparesis/hemihypoesthesia. On MRI, two patients had a single BCS lesion and four had additional MS-like lesions. Alternating bands were usually more visible on DWI. A patient had reduced central perfusion and SWI hypointensity suggestive of a central vein. Oligoclonal bands were identified in 5/6 patients. After 7 years of follow-up, all patients achieved MS criteria with mild disability (mean EDSS 1.75; 0-4). Our literature review included 65 BCS patients from 30 studies: although CSF oligoclonal bands and the presence of additional MS lesions were associated with subsequent relapses, this was not significant.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Our series allows a detailed MRI description in BCS and gives a new insight into BCS evolution and its strong relationship with MS.

Balo’s concentric sclerosis in a patient with spontaneous remission based on magnetic resonance imaging: A case report and review of literature

Balo’s concentric sclerosis (BCS) is a rare monophasic demyelinating disease known as multiple sclerosis subtype and seen as a round lesion with variable hyper and hypo-detoxification layers. Characteristic appearance can be seen as “bulb eye” or “onion bulb”. The initial terminology for this neurological disorder was leukoencephalitis periaxialis concentrica; this is defined as a disease in which the white matter of the brain is destroyed in concentric layers in such a way as to leave the axial cylinders intact. This report presents a case of BCS with spontaneous healing of the patient and a mass lesion with concentric rings adjacent to the left lateral ventricle and the posterior portion of the corpus callosum with peripheral vasogenic edema. The neurological lesion of the patient was similar to the magnetic resonance imaging and clinical findings of the BCS.

7 Tesla MRI of Balo's concentric sclerosis versus multiple sclerosis lesions

Background

Baló's concentric sclerosis (BCS) is a rare condition characterized by concentrically layered white matter lesions. While its pathogenesis is unknown, hypoxia‐induced tissue injury and chemotactic stimuli have been proposed as potential causes of BCS lesion formation. BCS has been suggested to be a variant of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we aimed to elucidate similarities and differences between BCS and MS by describing lesion morphology and localization in high‐resolution 7 Tesla (7 T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Methods

Ten patients with Baló‐type lesions underwent 7 T MRI, and 10 relapsing remitting MS patients served as controls. The 7 T MR imaging protocol included 3D T₁‐weighted (T₁w) magnetization‐prepared rapid gradient echo, 2D high spatial resolution T₂*‐weighted (T₂*w) fast low‐angle shot and susceptibility‐weighted imaging.

Results

Intralesional veins were visible in the center of all but one Baló‐type lesion. Four Baló‐type lesions displayed inhomogeneous intralesional T₂*w signal intensities, which are suggestive of microhemorrhages or small ectatic venules. Eight of 10 BCS patients presented with 97 additional lesions, 36 of which (37%) had a central vein. Lesions involving the cortical gray matter and the U‐fibers were not detected in BCS patients.

Conclusion

Our findings support the hypothesis that BCS and MS share common pathogenetic mechanisms but patients present with different lesion phenotypes.

Balo’s concentric sclerosis: an update and comprehensive literature review

Balo’s concentric sclerosis (BCS) is considered a variant of multiple sclerosis characterized by concentric lamella of alternating demyelinated and partially myelinated tissues. It is a rare and a relatively acute condition. Attacks may proceed rapidly over weeks or months, typically without remission, like Marburg’s variant, resulting in death or severe disability. However, the majority of cases have a more benign, self-limiting course with spontaneous remission. Magnetic resonance imaging is a primary imaging modality in the diagnosis of BCS. Treatment with intense immunosuppression may be indicated in patients with more aggressive form. New reports reveal more evidence regarding the pathophysiology and treatment strategies.

Atypical inflammatory demyelinating lesions and atypical multiple sclerosis

Atypical idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders (IIDDs) of the brain have long been known to be disorders closely related to multiple sclerosis (MS), despite having distinctive clinical and radiological characteristics. Originally, they mostly corresponded to acute-onset variants of MS that classically had poor prognoses, such as Baló's concentric sclerosis, Marburg variant of MS and Schilder's disease, and their relationship with MS was based on their shared pathological findings and the co-occurrence of these variants in patients with typical MS. More recently, other atypical disorders, such as solitary sclerosis, have also been described as belonging to the MS spectrum, raising the question of their links with MS. Meanwhile, multiple MS mimics have been described and need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of MS. In addition, thorough characterization of these atypical entities, including advanced MRI and biological studies, is now warranted to further improve their management.

Why Is This Auntminnie a Diagnostic Conundrum?: A Knowledge-Based Approach to Balo's Concentric Sclerosis From Reports of 3 Cases and Pooled Data From 68 Other Patients in the Literature

INTRODUCTION

We came across 3 cases of Balo's concentric sclerosis (BCS). The first of these patients presented to an outside hospital and was transferred to our institution due to complications resulting from a biopsy. The other 2 patients, despite having a characteristic imaging appearance and despite insistence on our part on the diagnosis of BCS, underwent a surgical procedure, which could have been prevented. This led us to review the available literature on BCS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 68 patients diagnosed with BCS between 1995 and 2015 were studied and the data collected for the clinical presentation and course, imaging, spinal fluid analysis, treatment, and clinical and imaging outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

A 25% surgery rate (biopsy or resection) was found in the study. We concluded that this relatively high surgery rate in this auntminnie nonsurgical disease is multifactorial; and includes factors like nonfamiliarity with the disease, anxiety on the part of patients and physicians, due to a sometimes rapidly deteriorating clinical picture; and resemblance of the disease with other entities such as tumor and infection. However, characteristic imaging appearance combined with acute or subacute presentation and dramatic improvement in clinical status after high-dose steroid chemotherapy; are highly suggestive of the disease, and can prevent unnecessary surgery.