In this week’s episode, I interview Dr. Salim Chahin, a neurologist here at Washington University who specializes in the treatment of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We discuss how to evaluate a patient with suspected MS using a case of optic neuritis. Dr. Chahin went to medical school in Damascus University School of Medicine in Damascus, Syria. He completed a residency in Neurology at the University of Iowa Hospital and completed a fellowship in MS at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a faculty member in the MS department here at Washington University.
Time stamps:
– 01:54: Dr. Chahin’s background
– 07:11: Nonmedical book recommendation
– 10:00: Clinical case of optic neuritis
– 10:59: Questions to ask in patients with suspected MS
– 14:03: Common presenting syndromes for MS
– 17:38: Characteristics of vision loss specific to MS
– 18:47: Neurological exam in patients with suspected MS
– 22:46: Lab workup in MS patients
– 28:40: Differential diagnosis for MS
– 32:28: Lumbar puncture in MS
– 38:14: McDonald criteria for MS diagnosis
– 42:56: Counseling patients with optic neuritis on their future risk of developing MS
– 46:14: Summary and key takeaways
Disclosures:
Dr. Chahin reports no relevant financial disclosures. Brain Boy Neurology reports no relevant financial disclosures.
Links:
McDonald Criteria for MS diagnosis: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/For-Professionals/Clinical-Care/Diagnosing-MS/Diagnosing-Criteria