Bochum ultrasound score allows distinction of chronic inflammatory from multifocal acquired demyelinating polyneuropathies

• Nerve ultrasound documents cross sectional area changes in dysimmune polyneuropathies
• Bochum Ultrasound score differentiates the CIDP from the MMN and MADSAM
• MMN and MADSAM show similar distribution patterns of ultrasound changes.

ObjectiveThe aim of this observational study was to evaluate the applicability of a recently introduced ultrasound score (Bochum ultrasound score; BUS) in distinguishing the chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) from the multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) or the multifocal acquired demyelinating sensory and motor neuropathy (MADSAM).MethodsThe BUS underwent prospective evaluation of its applicability in a group of 13 patients (mean age 47.2, SD ± 13.7, 9 women), who were referred to our department between January 2012 and August 2013 with the clinical picture of a chronic symmetrical or asymmetrical sensory/sensorimotor neuropathy.ResultsThe cut-off value of ≥ 2 points in the “Bochum ultrasound score” showed a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 87.5% (PPV = 80%, NPV = 87.5%) in distinguishing CIDP from MMN or MADSAM.ConclusionsThe BUS seems to allow a reliable distinction of CIDP from multifocal acquired demyelinating polyneuropathies causing predominantly motor nerve dysfunction, such as MMN or MADSAM. Our ultrasound findings indicate a stronger relationship of MADSAM to MMN, than to CIDP.