2023 Sessions

Neuroanatomy for the MS Clinician: Insights and Clinical Pearls

Co-Chair: Aliza Ben-Zacharia, PhD, DNP, ANP (Mount Sinai and Hunter College)Co-Chair: Stephen Krieger, MD, FAAN (Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for MS at Mount Sinai)

The goal of this basic and intermediate-level symposium is to address localization associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Localization requires an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, and the disease processes that affect it. The process of localization begins during history taking, is refined during the general and neurological examinations, and is assessed after any relevant diagnostic studies are completed. Despite sophisticated neuroimaging and laboratory studies, technology cannot replace the clinician’s neuroanatomical localization based on history and examination. Lesions may go undetected on standard imaging studies unless the studies are specifically focused on the anatomical region hypothesized to be involved. Neuroimaging or laboratory studies may disclose incidental abnormalities that have no bearing on the patient’s symptoms/signs and the further pursuit of which can lead to unnecessary time, expense, and potentially patient harm. Based on the symptoms and signs, the neurological examination and diagnostic tests, our program’s hypothesis answers the potential localization in the brain and/or in the spinal cord in MS. Localization involves two separate steps: (1) type localization, and (2) topographical localization. Type localization identifies the type of dysfunction present within the nervous system; focal, multifocal, diffuse, specific system, and combinations. Topographical localization involves determining the anatomical level within the nervous system that accounts for all the patient’s findings. Level of information: Basic, Intermediate.

CATEGORY:

Science of MS | Clinical Course

LEVEL:

Basic, Intermediate

CREDIT TYPES AND UNITS:

AAPA: 2.00
APA: 2.00
AOTA: 2.00
CME: 2.00
NCPD: 2.00