Neuromyelitis optica: a demyelinating disease

Authors

  • Ayesha Imran Department of Pediatrics, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  • Nitin Avinash Yelikar Department of Pediatrics, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  • Sneha Borse Department of Pediatrics, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India
  • Shreyash Shah Department of Pediatrics, Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20150536

Keywords:

Neuromyelitis optica, Optic neuritis, Multiple sclerosis, Methylprednisolone

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) also known as Devic’s disease is a demyelinating disease. It involves the central nervous system and predominantly affects the spinal cord and optic nerves. It is characterised by episodes of optic neuritis and/or transverse myelitis. It is often confused with multiple sclerosis. NMO can occur rarely in children but cases of pediatric NMO need specific consideration owing to possible poor visual and motor outcome. We report a case of nine year male child admitted with history of fever followed by sudden weakness of body, sudden decline in visual acuity and involuntary passage of urine. The symptoms were reverted after the use of methylprednisolone. Clinical outcome was favourable with disappearance of sphincter troubles, improvement of visual acuity and progressive disappearance of motor troubles.

References

Jarius S, Wildemann B. The history of neuromyelitis optica. J Neuroinflamm. 2013;10:8.

Pittock SJ, Weinshenker BG, Lucchinetti CF, Wingerchuk DM, Corboy JR, Lennon VA. Neuromyelitis optica brain lesions localized at sites of high aquaporin 4 expression. Arch Neurol. 2006;63(7):964-8.

Wingerchuk DM, Lennon VA, Pittock SJ, Lucchinetti CF, Weinshenker BG. Revised diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica. Neurology. 2006;66:1485-9.

Wingerchuk, DM. Neuromyelitis optica. Int MS J. 2006;13(2):42-50.

Lennon VA, Wingerchuk DM, Kryzer TJ, Pittock SJ, Lucchinetti CF, Fujihara K, et al. A serum autoantibody marker of neuromyelitis optica: distinction from multiple sclerosis. Lancet. 2004;364(9451):2106-12.

Bergamaschi R, Tonietti S, Franciotta D, Candeloro E, Tavazzi E, Piccolo G, et al. Oligoclonal bands in Devic's neuromyelitis optica and multiple sclerosis: Differences in repeated cerebrospinal fluid examinations. Mult Scler. 2004;10:2-4.

Wingerchuk DM, Lennon VA, Lucchinetti CF, Pittock SJ, Weinshenker BG. The spectrum of neuromyelitis optica. Lancet Neurol. 2007;6:805-15.

Wingerchuk DM, Weinshenker BG. Neuromyelitis optica. Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2008;10:55-66.

Gartzen K, Limmroth V, Putzki N. Relapsing neuromyelitis optica responsive to glatiramer acetate treatment. Eur J Neurol. 2007;14(6):e12-3.

Downloads

Published

2017-01-06