[Spinal forms of multiple sclerosis. Value and criticism of examination by cerebral magnetic resonance. Apropos of 4 cases].

Four observations of spinal forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) have been studied by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (Magniscan Thomson CGR 0,15 and 0,5 T). They concerned 3 females and 1 male, aged between 29 and 60. Evolution of MS varied between 1 year and 9 years. There were no familial story of neurological illness; there were no signs and symptoms of visual, oculo-motor, labyrinthic and cerebellar disorders in the past. VEP were abnormal in 2 cases (no 1, 3), BAEP in 1 case (no 2). CSF examination showed increased gamma globulins with an oligoclonal pattern in 2 cases (no 3,4). CT Scan performed with iodine contrast injection was normal in 3 cases (no 2,3,4). In all the cases, MRI using T2 weighted-SE sequences, showed high signal lesions in the white matter of the brain and/or the cerebellum, and periventricular patchy white matter lesions. It seems to be no relationship between the duration of MS and the number of abnormal high signals areas, but more important series are necessary to confirm or not such a result. These lesions seem to be without aetiological specificity. They have to be discussed according to the clinical biological, electro-physiological data and sometimes others neuroradiological procedures.