Table 1 2010 revision of the McDonald criteria

From: MAGNIMS consensus guidelines on the use of MRI in multiple sclerosis—clinical implementation in the diagnostic process

MS subtype

Dissemination in space

Dissemination in time

Relapsing–remitting

One or more lesions in each of two or more characteristic locations*

All symptomatic lesions excluded in brainstem and spinal cord syndromes

One of the following criteria:

New T2 and/or gadolinium-enhancing lesion(s) on follow-up MRI, irrespective of the timing of the baseline scan

Simultaneous presence of asymptomatic gadolinium-enhancing and nonenhancing lesions at any time

Primary progressive

Two of the following criteria:

Presence of one or more T2 lesions in at least one area characteristic of MS (excluding the spinal cord)*

Presence of two or more T2 lesions in the spinal cord

Evidence of oligoclonal IgG bands and/or increased IgG index in the cerebrospinal fluid

1 year of disease progression (retrospectively or prospectively determined)

  1. *Characteristic areas for MS lesions include the posterior fossa, juxtacortical regions, periventricular regions and spinal cord.
  2. Abbreviation: MS, multiple sclerosis.
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