MS diagnostic criteria according to Poser et al.

Poser CM, Paty DW, Scheinberg L, et al. New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: guidelines for research protocols. Ann. Neurol. 1983; 13: 227-231

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Categories Criteria
Space Time CSF
Clinically definite + + +
+ + -
Biologically definite + - +
- + +
Clinically probable + - -
- + -
Biologically probable - - +
Suspected - - -

Criteria for dissemination in Space

Two out of three of: involvement of neuraxis, involvement of optic nerve, imaging criteria (Paty's); i.e., any row of the table below fulfills the criteria for dissemination in space.

Neuraxis Optic nerve Imaging
+ + +
+ + -
+ - +
- + +
  • Involvement of neuraxis:
    demonstrated clinically or electrophysiologically (SEP, BAEP, MEP positive results)
  • Involvement of optic nerve:
    demonstrated clinically or electrophysiologically (VEP positive results)
  • Imaging criteria (Paty's MRI criteria):
    at least 4 lesions > 3 mm
    or
    at least 3 lesions > 3 mm, one of them touching the lateral ventricules