Pitfalls

The emergency physician should be aware of the following pitfalls:

• Assuming that symptoms of transverse myelitis are due to MS
• Failing to exclude a surgically treatable compressive lesion in the first instance
• Making the diagnosis of MS in the ED: there are a number of differentials, and formal diagnosis requires neurological expertise. The patient should be assessed urgently by a neurologist
• New-onset MS is an unlikely diagnosis in those younger than 16 years or older than 50 years
• Failing to ensure that MS patients with an acute relapse are referred/admitted for appropriate therapy