New T2 lesions enable an earlier diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in clinically isolated syndromes

Abstract
In clinically isolated syndromes, the new McDonald criteria for multiple sclerosis diagnosis require new gadolinium‐enhancing lesions for dissemination in time at a 3‐month follow‐up magnetic resonance imaging scan. In a cohort of 56 patients, these criteria were specific (95%) but less sensitive (58%) for clinically definite multiple sclerosis at 3 years. If new T2 lesions were allowed as an alternative for dissemination in time, sensitivity increased (74%) with maintained specificity (92%), enabling an accurate diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in more patients. Ann Neurol 2003;53:673–676