More than one clinical episode

In a patient who presents with more than one episode of neurological dysfunction suggestive of MS then:

• if the episodes affected different parts of the central nervous system then the diagnosis of MS can be made without further investigations
• if the episodes affected the same site in the central nervous system then:
  • a diagnosis of MS can be made if MRI scanning shows lesions disseminated in space (if CSF shows oligoclonal bands then the MRI criteria are less rigorous)