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Distinguishing Susac’s syndrome from multiple sclerosis

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Abstract

Susac’s syndrome is considered a rare differential diagnosis in the work-up of suspected multiple sclerosis. Over the last decade or so, significant advances in our understanding of Susac’s syndrome mean that it can now be readily distinguished from multiple sclerosis in the majority of cases with a careful history and close attention to MR imaging. Supporting investigations such as CSF examination, fluorescein angiogram, visual field perimetry and audiology often yield important clues. In milder cases, however, diagnostic uncertainty can exist, and forme frustes of the disease are recognised. In this article, we discuss the clinical features of Susac’s syndrome with emphasis on the findings and investigations that help to differentiate it from MS.

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Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. This work received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuroimmunology Clinic, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Katherine A. Buzzard, Stephen W. Reddel, D. Sean Riminton & Todd A. Hardy

  2. Department of Neurology, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Con Yiannikas & Todd A. Hardy

  3. Department of Neurology, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Con Yiannikas

  4. Department of Immunology, Concord Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    D. Sean Riminton

  5. MS Clinic, Brain and Mind Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Michael H. Barnett & Todd A. Hardy

  6. Brain and Mind Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Michael H. Barnett

  7. Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Michael H. Barnett

  8. Neuroimmunology Clinic, Department of Neurology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Hospital Rd, Concord, Sydney, NSW, 2139, Australia

    Todd A. Hardy

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  1. Katherine A. Buzzard
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  2. Stephen W. Reddel
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  3. Con Yiannikas
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  6. Todd A. Hardy
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Correspondence to Todd A. Hardy.

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Buzzard, K.A., Reddel, S.W., Yiannikas, C. et al. Distinguishing Susac’s syndrome from multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 262, 1613–1621 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-014-7628-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-014-7628-9

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