Neuroimaging Markers for Differential Diagnosis Between Multifocal Motor Neuropathy and Multifocal Acquired Demyelinating Sensory and Motor Neuropathy

Introduction. Similar asymmetric patterns of motor disorders and neurophysiological changes complicate the differential diagnosis between multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy (MADSAM) as two chronic dysimmune neuropathies with significantly different treatment approaches. The lack of specific paraclinical markers often result in misdiagnosis and selection of ineffective specific therapy. Identification of specific neuroimaging biomarkers to differentiate these conditions may improve diagnostic approaches. Objective: To identify neuroimaging markers for the differential diagnosis between MMN and MADSAM. Materials and methods. The study included 65 participants, particularly 30 individuals with MMN and 35 individuals with MADSAM followed up in the Center of Peripheral Nervous System Diseases, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia. We retrospectively analyzed their clinical and epidemiological characteristics as well as ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Results. Ultrasonography was performed on the peripheral nerves of the upper extremities, the spinal nerves, and the brachial plexus. The results showed that participants with MADSAM had significantly greater cross-sectional areas (CSAs) and a higher incidence of intraneural ultrasonographic abnormalities compared to participants with MMN. CSA thresholds of the median nerves were identified using ROC analysis to differentiate between MMN and MADSAM. MRI scans of the brachial plexus revealed no abnormalities in 41.4% of the individuals with MMN and 27.3% of the individuals with MADSAM. Meanwhile, STIR hyperintense signal from the brachial plexus was most typical ( 70%) for the MADSAM group. Conclusions. This was the first detailed comparative analysis of neuroimaging findings in a large sample of patients with either MMN or MADSAM in Russia. Ultrasonographic markers for differential diagnosis have been determined. The advantages and limitations of ultrasonography and MRI of the brachial plexus and the spinal and peripheral nerves in diagnosing multifocal chronic dysimmune neuropathies have been demonstrated.