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. 1996 Jan;60(1):27–30. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.60.1.27

A study of oligoclonal band negative multiple sclerosis.

A Z Zeman 1, D Kidd 1, B N McLean 1, M A Kelly 1, D A Francis 1, D H Miller 1, B E Kendall 1, P Rudge 1, E J Thompson 1, W I McDonald 1
PMCID: PMC486185  PMID: 8558146

Abstract

OBJECTIVES--To determine whether oligoclonal band (OCB) negative multiple sclerosis is a reliable diagnosis and, if so, whether it has a distinctive prognosis. METHODS--Retrospective and matched prospective comparison of the clinical and laboratory features of patients with clinical definite multiple sclerosis with and without intrathecal synthesis of oligoclonal IgG. RESULTS--Thirty four patients were identified with apparent OCB negative clinically definite multiple sclerosis. The results of oligoclonal banding proved to have been equivocal in 14 of 34; the clinical diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was questionable in 8 of 34. The remaining 12 patients with "true" OCB negative multiple sclerosis were significantly less disabled than matched OCB positive controls. Re-examination of CSF-serum pairs from six OCB negative patients showed that three remained OCB negative while three showed evidence of intrathecal synthesis of OCBs. CONCLUSIONS--OCB negative clinically definite multiple sclerosis is rare and should be diagnosed with caution; in unequivocal cases it seems to have a relatively benign prognosis.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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