Patient Profile: • Name: Sarah Williams • Age: 37 • Gender: Female • Medical History: None reported
Scenario: Sarah presents to the neurology clinic with complaints of progressive weakness, fatigue, and visual disturbances over the past year. She reports experiencing intermittent episodes of numbness and tingling in her legs and difficulty with balance. Sarah mentions that her symptoms worsen with heat and improve with rest. On assessment, you note bilateral weakness in her lower extremities and evidence of optic neuritis.
Vital Signs: • Blood Pressure: 120/80 mmHg • Heart Rate: 75 bpm • Respiratory Rate: 16 bpm • Temperature: 37.0°C Lab Values: • Complete Blood Count (CBC): Within normal limits • Increased white blood cells (WBCs) • Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
Analysis: o Elevated protein levels o Presence of oligoclonal bands
Describe the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS).