BALO’S CONCENTRIC SCLEROSIS: CLINICAL CASE ОF REMISSION

Objective. Case report of a rare form of multiple sclerosis, Balo’s concentric sclerosis (BCS).

Materials and methods. 66 year old female patient L., admitted with complaints of gait disorder with tendency to fall towards the left side, left upper limb weakness and decreased memory. Neurological examination revealed left sided hemiparesis, and left sided positive Romberg’s test. Contrast brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. Treatment was prescribed as well as dynamic follow up during the course of 1.5 years.

Results. Based on complaints, clinical picture and MRI result, patient was diagnosed with an atypical form of multiple sclerosis, Balo’s concentric sclerosis. The main diagnostic method used confirm the diagnosis was contrast brain MRI: Non homogenous circular-form space occupying lesion with dimensions 3.7 × 3.4 × 3.5 cm was visualized in the supraventricular area of right parietal lobe with increased and decreased signals on T2 and T1 weighted images respectively. Following intravenous administration of contrast substance, an increased T1-WI signal is observed along the periphery of the described lesion in the right parietal lobe. MRI conclusion: brain demyelination disease with large foci in the right post-frontal lobe region, typical of Balo’s concentric sclerosis. Following the acute clinical state, cytostatic and immunomodulation therapy was prescribed. MRI dynamic observation revealed decrease in dimensions of the significantly enhanced concentric areas. Follow up demonstrated marked remission.

Conclusion. This clinical case is of interest due to the rarity of this disease. The basis of diagnosis in our study was MRI investigation which allows for in vivo diagnosis of this pathology. These observations confirm the fact that timely use of modern methods of treatment can achieve not only stabilization of the patients’ state, but also positive clinical and MRI dynamics.

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