multiple sclerosis variants: report of two cases of schilder and balo diseases

abstract background: a tumefactive lesion of central nervous system (cns) is defined as a mass-like lesion with a size greater than 2 cm in brain (magnetic resonance imaging) mri. neuroimaging may help to distinguish the nature of a tumefactive lesion and therefore can prevent an unnecessary brain biopsy. method: in this paper, we have emphasized on determining the nature of a cns tumefactive lesions with the help of mri and more explanations about demyelinating lesions especially schilder and balo. results: in addition to a literature review about the differential diagnosis of a cns tumefactive lesion, we have reported two cases of multiple sclerosis (ms) variants. conclusion:  tumefactive demyelinating lesions can be considered a separate entity that itself can contain schilder disease, balo disease, some cases of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (adem) or classic ms. mri can help to establish a diagnosis of a tumefactive lesion and to differentiate among different underlying etiologies.