Balo disease, also known as concentric sclerosis or Balo concentric sclerosis, is a type of multiple sclerosis that is rare and very rapidly progressive. The disease can be best characterized by the alternating bands of intact and lost myelin (the fatty substance that encapsulates and protects the brain’s nerve fibers) throughout different parts of the brain or brain stem, as detected on MRI. While it normally is identified in adults, children may also contract the disease.
Headaches, seizures, intellectual impairment, involuntary muscle spasms, fevers, and gradual paralysis.
Currently, the research is limited. However, given its similarity to multiple sclerosis, it is important to rule out this as well as other diseases that share symptoms. You can find more information on multiple sclerosis here.
There are conflicting reports regarding whether males and females have an equal incidence of Balo disease or that females are at higher risk than males.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (n.d.). Balo’s Disease. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Related-Conditions/Balo%E2%80%99s-Disease
NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). (2015, July 6). Balo Disease. NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/balo-disease/#:~:text=Balo%20Disease%20is%20a%20rare,tends%20to%20be%20rapidly%20progressive
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society. (2015, January 28). How Common Is It To Have MS With Other Medical Conditions? First Results from the MS “Comorbidities”. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. https://www.nationalmssociety.org/About-the-Society/News/How-Common-Is-It-To-Have-MS-With-Other-Medical-Con
Weerakkody, Y., & Sharma, R. (n.d.). Baló concentric sclerosis: Radiology Reference Article. Radiopaedia Blog RSS. https://radiopaedia.org/articles/balo-concentric-sclerosis-3?lang=us
