Novel contribution of non-enhanced MRI to neuroradiologists for detecting neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder-associated optic neuritis

The sensitivity of MRI in detecting optic neuritis (ON) including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder-associated ON (NMOSD-ON) is inadequate, and the diagnostic criteria have limitations due to inherent defects in signal intensity. In this study, we quantitatively assessed the role of intrathecal cerebrospinal fluid and diameter and curvature of anterior visual pathway in the diagnosis of NMOSD-ON by nomogram using non-enhanced MRI. The altered MRI parameters showed significant associations with visual functional system scores. Our study elucidates the novel contribution of non-enhanced MRI in the detection of NMOSD-ON, which assists to solve the problem of insufficient sensitivity of MRI for ON.