Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 60. No. 1., 2021.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2021.60.01.02
The Value of Blink Reflex in Early Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
Lidija Dežmalj Grbelja
; Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Mikula
; Sveta Katarina Polyclinic, Zagreb, Croatia
Lejla Ćorić
; Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Centre, Zagreb, Croatia
Maristela Stojić
; Department of Neurology, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Vida Demarin
; Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The aim was to determine differences of blink reflex in clinically definite multiple
sclerosis (CDMS) and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) in patients presented with symptoms and
signs of brainstem impairment. The study included 20 patients diagnosed with CDMS, 20 with CIS,
and 20 healthy controls. We recorded latencies of early (R1) and late component ipsilaterally (R2) and
contralaterally (R2’), and occurrence of irritative component (R3). We analyzed data on sex, age, signs
of brainstem impairment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for the presence of brainstem
demyelinating lesions. There was no statistically significant difference between patient groups
according to sex, age, symptoms of brainstem involvement and MRI findings. There was no statistically
significant difference in R1 component latencies and R2 latencies on the right side. Latencies of
R2 on the left and R2’ on the right were statistically longer in CDMS group. There was no difference
in the appearance of R3 component. In conclusion, blink reflex was found to be a very sensitive and
useful diagnostic tool in the assessment of brainstem structures, especially because abnormalities are
seen not only in CDMS but also in CIS. Slowing of the late component as a sign of dysfunction in the
efferent part of the reflex arc is not very specific but is a highly sensitive finding.
Keywords
Blink reflex; Brainstem; Clinically isolated syndrome; Multiple sclerosis
Hrčak ID:
259812
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2021.
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