Differential diagnosis between NMOSD and MS: a retrospective study based on clinical and imaging features

Although NMOSD and MS share many similarities in clinical symptoms, they differ substantially in their fundamental characteristics, as reflected in demographic features, clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging findings, as well as prognosis. Compared with MS, NMOSD patients are typically older at disease onset, have a higher proportion of females, and experience more frequent relapses and greater disability. In terms of imaging, MS lesions are predominantly distributed in the brain, whereas NMOSD mainly involves the optic nerve and spinal cord. Therefore, early differentiation between the two diseases in clinical practice is essential for developing targeted treatment strategies and ultimately improving patient outcomes.