Case of the Week
Section Editors: Matylda Machnowska1 and Anvita Pauranik2
1University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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August 18, 2008
Balò's Concentric Sclerosis
- Balò's concentric sclerosis (BCS) is considered a rare tumefactive variant of multiple sclerosis.
- It is characterized by white matter lesions (generally solitary but may be multiple) that contain rings of demyelination alternating with rings of intact myelin, which explain the concentric appearance on MRI.
- DWI shows a pathognomonic hyperintense ring associated with corresponding ADC reduction; MRS may show findings similar to those of tumors but perfusion studies show low rCBV.
- Clinically, it is similar to multiple sclerosis.
- Morbidity and mortality associated with BCS may be strongly affected by early diagnosis.