Idiopathic severe recurrent transverse myelitis: a restricted variant of neuromyelitis optica

Recurrent idiopathic transverse myelitis occur in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). In NMO, acute optic neuritis and myelitis occur, either monophasic or relapsing, without clinical manifestations of involvement of other parts of the central nervous system (CNS). Recent evidence suggests that NMO is different from multiple sclerosis. The authors reported two patients having severe recurrent transverse myelitis sparing the optic nerves and cerebral hemispheres. Both patients had longitudinally extensive myelitis in some attacks with poor neurological outcome despite aggressive immunomodulatory therapy. One patient had prominent clinical features of brainstem injury with radiological and histological confirmation of brainstem involvement, and the other patient had trigeminal neuralgia suggestive of possible brainstem dysfunction. Histologically, prominent necrosis and neutrophilic infiltration of spinal cord tissue without eosinophils or hyalinized vessels were observed, and oligoclonal bands were absent in their cerebrospinal fluid. It is likely to be a distinct idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorder restricted to the spinal cord and brainstem different from MS, but within the spectrum of NMO with probably an autoimmune basis.     

Recurrent inflammatory optic neuritis and neuromyelitis optica

Inflammatory optic neuritis (ON) represents a frequent clinical situation in neurology and ophthalmology. When MRI and CSF analysis are normal, ON is considered idiopathic with a suspected viral etiology. However, in several cases either a recurrence or a myelitis may occur. In the first case, it is relapsing inflammatory optic neuritis (RION) and in the second case it is neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Nevertheless, predictive criteria of a recurrence or an extension of the disease to spinal cord remains unknown, excepted for anti-NMO IgG antibodies which are probably highly specific for a future evolution to NMO. In the present paper, the authors successively present the two clinical situations (RION and NMO) and attempt to summarize diagnostic and prognostic criteria.     

Devic's neuromyelitis optica: clinical, laboratory, MRI and outcome profile

Devic's neuromyelitis optica (NMO) associates optic neuritis and myelitis without any other neurological signs. Many patients with NMO may be diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis (MS), optic neuritis and myelitis being the inaugural symptom in 20% and 5% of MS cases, respectively. The aim of our study was to compare a new NMO cohort with recent studies and to try to determine the place of NMO in the spectrum of MS. We retrospectively studied 13 patients with a complete diagnostic workup for NMO. We compared our data with the most recent studies on NMO and with the criteria proposed by Wingerchuck et al. [Neurology 53 (1999) 1107]. We also determined whether these patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for MS. Thirteen patients (10 women and three men, with a mean age of 37.4 years) were included in the study. We found similar results to previously published data, except for an association with vasculitis in 38% of our cases. All but three of the patients fulfilled the clinical criteria for MS and two patients fulfilled both clinical and MRI criteria for MS. However, if we applied more restrictive criteria concerning spinal cord and brain MRI and CSF, none of our NMO patients fulfilled the MS diagnostic criteria. NMO might therefore be differentiated from MS by the application of more stringent criteria. Furthermore, all NMO patients should be investigated for vasculitis, even those with no history of systemic disease.     

Neuromyelitis optica: importance of cerebrospinal fluid examination during relapse

Abstract. Devics neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a clinical entity characterised by severe transverse myelitis, optic neuropathy and monophasic or recurrent course. We report the case of a woman affected by myelitis and optic neuritis suggesting Devics disease. Diagnosis was supported by clinical, neuroradiological and biochemical findings. In 14 months, the patient developed 5 clinical exacerbations. Six cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations were performed, 3 during relapses and 3 during remitting phases: all the CSF specimens obtained during relapses showed granulocyte pleocytosis and increased protein level, whereas CSF was normal during stationary phases. Oligoclonal banding was always absent. Spinal cord MRI showed altered signal at cervical and thoracic levels. We did not find any concomitant systemic disease. The case we report underlines the importance of CSF examination during clinical relapse in NMO diagnosis.     

视神经脊髓炎的临床特征

目的探讨视神经脊髓炎(NMO)的临床特征。方法回顾分析18例NMO患者的临床资料。结果本组复发型NMO15例(83.3%),女性16例(88.9%),平均发病年龄36岁。所有患者双眼同时或先后出现视力减退,均有横贯性脊髓损害表现。MRI检查显示病灶位于颈髓4例、胸髓6例、颈、胸髓均受累5例,脊髓病灶长度≥3个椎体13例,出现脑部病灶6例。本组每例发病次数平均5次,遗留轻度功能残疾7例、中度功能残疾7例、重度功能残疾2例,死亡2例。结论NMO以复发型多见,女性多见,以双侧视神经受累及长节段脊髓炎为主要临床表现,部分患者出现脑部病灶。NMO复发率高,预后较差。     

Neuromyelitis optica-IgG in idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders amongst Hong Kong Chinese

Background:  Idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders (IIDD) affect the central nervous system. In classical multiple sclerosis (CMS), brain, optic nerves [optic neuritis (ON)] and spinal cord [acute transverse myelitis (ATM)] are affected. In neuromyelitis optica (NMO), optic nerves and spinal cord are predominantly affected. NMO-IgG, an autoantibody targeting aquaporin-4, is a marker for NMO. We studied the frequency and clinical relevance of NMO-IgG seropositivity in IIDD patients.
Methods:  Neuromyelitis optica-IgG was detected by indirect immunofluorescence using primate cerebellum.
Results:  Neuromyelitis optica-IgG was detected in six of 10 NMO patients (60%), six of 10 idiopathic relapsing transverse myelitis (IRTM) patients (60%), two of nine idiopathic relapsing ON patients (22%), one of 11 patients (9%) having single ON attack, one of 30 CMS patients (3%), and none of patients having single ATM attack or controls. Comparing NMO-IgG seropositive ( n  = 12) with NMO-IgG seronegative ( n  = 8) patients having NMO or IRTM, NMO-IgG seropositivity was associated with a higher relapse rate in first 2 years, 1.5 and 0.6 attacks/year for seropositive and seronegative groups respectively ( P  = 0.006), and non-significant trend towards more severe ON and myelitis with poorer clinical outcome.
Conclusion:  Neuromyelitis optica -IgG facilitates diagnosis of NMO spectrum disorders. NMO-IgG seropositivity is associated with higher relapse rate in first 2 years.     

Is Devic's neuromyelitis optica a separate disease? A comparative study with multiple sclerosis

Devic's neuromyelitis optica (NMO) associates optic neuritis and myelopathy without other neurological signs. Many patients with NMO may be diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis (MS). However, there have been no previous studies comparing these two pathologies and it is still unclear if NMO is a separate entity or a subtype of MS. In the present study, we compared a series of NMO patients with a series of MS patients for whom optic neuritis or myelopathy was the presenting symptom, in order to determine the place of NMO in the spectrum of MS. We retrospectively studied 30 patients diagnosed with NMO and we compared these patients with 50 consecutive MS cases revealed by optic neuritis or acute myelopathy. MS patients were only included if a relapse occurred demonstrating time and space dissemination. We compared the two groups in terms of clinical presentation, laboratory findings (MRI and CSF) and clinical outcome. NMO patients were older and more frequently women than MS patients but the difference was not significant. CSF and MRI data were clearly different: oligoclonal bands (OCB) were found in 23% of NMO cases and 88% of MS (P < 0.001), abnormal brain MRI data were observed in 10% of NMO cases and 66% of MS (P < 0.001) and a large spinal cord lesion was observed in 67% of NMO cases and 7.4% of MS cases (P < 0.001). Clinical outcome was evaluated as more severe in the NMO group (P < 0.001). On the basis of clinical data, all NMO patients but three had dissemination in time and space. When we included MRI parameters, only two of the NMO patients met criteria for MS and one of the MS patients met criteria for NMO. Our study demonstrates that NMO and MS should be considered as two different entities. The respective criteria for NMO and MS were able to distinguish these two pathologies but only when MRI data were applied. This finding could have implications for future therapeutic trials.     

An autopsied case of neuromyelitis optica with a large cavitary cerebral lesion

We report a case of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) with a large cerebral lesion. The patient had an episode of fever and consciousness disturbance with a tumefactive frontal white matter lesion at age 43, and then repeated bilateral optic neuritis and transverse myelitis until she died at age 63. Histopathological examinations revealed that marked tissue destruction, cavities and inflammatory changes typical of NMO were seen in the cerebrum as well as the optic nerves and spinal cord. This is the first autopsied case of NMO with a tumefactive cerebral lesion that later became cavitary.     

视神经脊髓炎临床与病理

目的：分析视神经脊髓炎（NMO）的特征。方法：对114例NMO患者的临床资料,3例尸检结果,28例随访情况进行研究。结果：该病患者男女之比为1：2．5,发病年龄以12－50岁居多（85％）,急性和亚急性起病占大多数（74．84％）,视神经症状为首发占58．77％,视神经与脊髓症状的间隔时间在1年内者60例,占52．33％。脊髓以横贯性损害为主,有95例（83．33％）,以胸段损害最多（64．33％）,尸体解剖例2、3为NMO;病程中有缓解－复发者65例,其中有14例发展为多发性硬化,包括尸体解剖例1。结论：NMO有两种类型;复发型中有一小部分可发展成为MS,MRI,脑干视觉诱发电位和长期随访有利于NMO和MS的鉴别。     

Neuromyelitis optica in a patient with pemphigus foliaceus

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO, also eponymously known as Devic's disease) is an immune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that can lead to significant disability. Pediatric NMO is a rare disorder often reported after an infection. The authors report a 16 year-old female patient with pemphigus foliaceus who developed subacute optic neuritis followed by cervical transverse myelitis. Restricted distribution of the lesions in the optic nerve and spinal cord was confirmed by ophthalmological evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spinal cord. She was started on intravenous methylprednisolone and then given a maintenance oral prednisone. Subsequently, she was treated with a nonsteroidal immunosuppressant, mycophenolate mofetil, with a target dose of 1000 mg twice a day. Over the course of months, patient noted significant recovery of previous deficits and resolution of the cervical cord enhancement, expansion and cystic dilatation that was previously seen. This case is noteworthy for being the first patient reported with neuromyelitis optica associated with pemphigus foliaceus.     

Detection of anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies in neuromyelitis optica: current status of the assays

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe inflammatory demyelinating disease that predominantly affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. Since the discovery of a specific serum marker for NMO in 2004, and its subsequent identification as an antibody to aquaporin-4 (AQP-4), various methods have been developed to test for the antibodies in patients sera. OBJECTIVE: To assess the principal methods used to measure AQP-4 antibodies in patients sera, describe their contribution to neuromyelitis spectrum disease and examine their value in the early detection of disease. METHODS: We compared the published data on each assay and used the relapsing NMO cohort as a uniform patient group for direct assay comparison. RESULTS: The indirect immunofluorescence assay, a cellbased assay (CBA) and a fluorescence-based immunoprecipitation assay have broadly similar high sensitivities (86%, 91% and 83%) in the relapsing cohort, but the indirect immunofluorescence has a lower specificity (91%) compared with the other two (both 100% specific). CONCLUSIONS: The indirect immunofluorescence assay for NMO-IgG allows the detection of antibodies in routine screening, but the CBA for AQP-4 antibodies is the most sensitive. The fluoroimmunoprecipitation assay is a potentially high-throughput test for identifying positive sera and for serial estimations of antibody levels, but in its present form is slightly less sensitive. Overall, these assays are proving very useful in helping to diagnose those patients with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis or recurrent optic neuritis who are likely to have relapsing NMO, including patients with myelopathy and Sjogrens syndrome, but it appears to be less often positive in patients with monophasic NMO.     

Progressive necrotizing myelopathy: part of the spectrum of neuromyelitis optica?

This case series reviews the clinical, radiographic and laboratory findings of five patients with progressive idiopathic myelopathy with evidence of cord necrosis who presented in our institution over a 5 year period ending in May 2005. Patients fulfilling the following criteria were included: (1) presentation with myelopathy without overt visual involvement at initial presentation; (2) demonstration with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of contiguously abnormal signal in the spinal cord spanning at least three vertebral segments without evidence of arteriovenous malformation or significant disk disease; (3) absence of systemic disease or neoplasm. All patients were women, identified themselves as African American and were older than 35 years. Pain was reported at initial presentation in four cases. The distinctive feature was a relapsing course with intervening variable improvement of function and progression to quadriplegia in less than 4 years. An increased IgG index and/or oligoclonal banding was detected in two patients. The leukocyte count in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was elevated in all cases but in only one specimen did the count exceed 50 cells. None of the patients initially had clinical signs of an optic neuropathy but unilaterally prolonged visual evoked potentials were present in one individual who went on to developed optic neuritis 19 months after the first clinical presentation. Another patient developed optic neuritis 45 months after disease onset. Immunomodulatory and plasma exchange therapy were of some benefit at least early in the course but the disease progressed despite these interventions. Neuromyelitis optica (NMO)-IgG antibody, a serum or CSF marker described in individuals with classic NMO and optico-spinal multiple sclerosis (MS), was present in all cases. On the basis of shared clinical and imaging features in the cord, progressive necrotizing myelopathy observed in this case series exhibits key features of a limited form of NMO (Devic's disease) and opticospinal MS. The presence of NMO-IgG antibody marker suggests that progressive necrotizing myelopathy is part of a disease spectrum of which traditional NMO is a select presentation.     

Devic's neuromyelitis optica. Presentation of 2 new cases and review of the bibliography

Devic's neuromyelitis optica is a clinical entity characterized by severe transverse myelitis, acute unilateral or bilateral optic neuropathy, no clinical involvement beyond the spinal cord or optic nerves and a monophasic or recurrent evolution. We report two cases, both female, affected by spinal cord and visual symptoms suggesting Devic's neuromyelitis. First patient, a 30 y.o. woman, was admitted due to acute flaccid tetraparesis preceded by left optic neuropathy five months before. CSF showed normal IgG level and no synthesis of oligoclonal bands. Brain and spinal cord MRI showed left optic neuropathy, signal hyperintensities at cervical and thoracic levels on the T2 weighted sequence, and diffuse enhancement after e.v. gadolinium DPTA. Second patient presented optical neuropathy at 19 years of age, transverse myelitis at 47 years of age, and a new cervical myelopathy two years later, at 49 y.o. Brain and spinal cord MRI showed bilateral optic atrophy and multiple hyperintensities among C1/C2 and C6/C7 levels, some of them cavitated. Pleocytosis, protein count of 511 mg/dl, presence of IgGs but negative oligoclonal bands was observed on CSF. In general, Devic's optic neuromyelitis has poor functional prognoses, recurrences may follow onset affecting spinal cord and optic nerves. In our two cases, we did not identify a specific cause despite all the diagnostic work-up.     

Neuromyelitis optica

Whether neuromyelitis optica (NMO), the co-occurrence of myelitis and optic neuritis, is a variant of multiple sclerosis (MS) or a unique disease is controversial. Distinct neuropathological features and a fulminant clinical course argue in favor of NMO as a distinct disease. However, the combination of neurological impairments of myelitis and optic neuritis occurs in patients with several inflammatory disorders, including multiple sclerosis and collagen vascular diseases. NMO is also associated with certain infectious diseases. The fact that the NMO phenotype occurs in a variety of disease states suggests that NMO does not represent a specific clinical entity. To better understand NMO and its associations with recognized diseases, a systematic review of the literature using MEDLINE was conducted. The history of NMO, its nosology, associations with other diseases, and current concepts of its pathogenesis and treatment is reviewed in this article.     

Devic's neuromyelitis optica: a critical review

Devic's neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating and necrotizing disease characterized by predominant involvement of the optic nerves and spinal cord. In Asian countries relapsing NMO has been known as opticospinal multiple sclerosis. It has long been debated if NMO is a variant of multiple sclerosis (MS) or a distinct disease. Recent studies have shown that NMO has more frequently a relapsing course, and results from attack to aquaporin-4 which is the dominant water channel in the central nervous system, located in foot processes of the astrocytes. Distinctive pathological features of NMO include perivascular deposition of IgG and complement in the perivascular space, granulocyte and eosinophil infiltrates and hyalinization of the vascular walls. These features distinguish NMO from other demyelinating diseases such as MS and acute demyelinating encephalomyelopathy. An IgG-antibody that binds to aquaporin-4, named NMO-IgG has high sensitivity and specificity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have revealed that more frequently there is a long spinal cord lesion that extends through three or more vertebral segments in length. Brain MRI lesions atypical for MS are found in the majority of cases. Treatment in the acute phase includes intravenous steroids and plasma exchange therapy. Immunosupressive agents are recommended for prophylaxis of relapses.     

Neuromyelitis optica with intraspinal expansion of Schwann cell remyelination

We report a case of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) with an unusual pattern of remyelination in the spinal cord. A Japanese woman complained of pain and numbness in the left thumb at the age of 36 years. She mainly presented with optic and spinal symptoms and was initially diagnosed as multiple sclerosis (MS). Her bilateral eyesight decreased, which led to light perception only in the right eye. She became unable to walk without a wheelchair. In spite of steroid pulse therapy, plasma exchange therapy and immunosuppressive therapy, her symptoms gradually worsened. After 33 years of a relapsing–remitting course, she died of septic urinary tract infection at the age of 69 years. Autopsy revealed prominent demyelination in the optic tract and the spinal cord. The optic nerve showed extensive demyelination accompanied by axon depletion. The spinal cord lesions were found in C8 to L2 level (contiguous 15 segments), especially Th5 to Th11 level. The thoracic spinal cord showed extensive remyelination spreading from the entry zone of peripheral nerves to the central portion. Regenerative myelin showed immunopositivity for Schwann/2E, a marker of Schwann cells and myelin of the peripheral nervous system. Expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) were weakened in the area of Schwann cell remyelination, suggesting that the essential pathogenesis of this case was disturbance of astrocytes. Inhibition of gliosis probably led to cystic cavities, and destruction of basal lamina may have permitted Schwann cells of peripheral nerves to enter the spinal cord and proliferate within empty spaces. Compared with the optic tract and the spinal cord lesions, a large part of the brain plaques was vague and inactive. We pathologically diagnosed this case as NMO for optic neuritis, myelitis, a contiguous spinal cord lesion and loss or decrease of AQP4 expression.     

血清抗核抗体在视神经脊髓炎谱系疾病和多发性硬化中的分布

目的 研究血清抗核抗体(ANAs)在视神经脊髓炎谱系疾病(NMOSDs)和多发性硬化(MS)中的分布.方法 收集2009-01-2011-03间在作者医院神经内科门诊和住院诊治并行血清ANAs筛查的NMOSDs患者74例,包括视神经脊髓炎(NMO)53例、复发长节段横贯性脊髓炎(rLETM)20例和复发性视神经炎(RON)1例,以及MS患者49例,统计其血清ANAs阳性率并进行分析.结果 NMOSDs患者血清ANAs阳性率为45.9%(34/74),其中ANA(本文中特指用间接免疫荧光法检测的抗核抗体)、抗dsDNA、抗着丝粒抗体(ACA)、抗SSA抗体、抗SSB抗体阳性率分别为36.5%(27/74)、5.4%(4/74)、1.4%(1/74)、27.0%(20/74)、9.5%(7/74),MS组仅1例ANAs阳性,阳性率为2.0%(1/49),两组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.01).血清ANAs诊断NMOSDs的灵敏度为45.9%,特异度达98.0%;NMO和rLETM患者血清ANAs阳性率分别为47.2%和40.0%,两者无统计学差异(P=0.635).结论 NMO和rLETM患者血清ANAs阳性率高于MS组,支持NMO和rLETM同属于NMOSDs的观点.ANAs有可能是NMOSDs和MS两组疾病的鉴别指标之一.     

Neuromyelitis optica

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), otherwise known as Devic's disease, is an idiopathic, severe, inflammatory disorder that preferentially affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. Clinical, laboratory and immunopathological evidence suggests that NMO is a humorally mediated disease distinct from MS. A spinal cord lesion extending contiguously over three or more vertebral segments is characteristic of NMO and, in combination with a cranial magnetic resonance imaging scan that does not meet radiological criteria for MS, is over 94% sensitive and 96% specific for NMO diagnosis. The serum autoantibody marker, neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G (NMO-IgG), appears specific for NMO and suggests that the disease spectrum includes cases of recurrent longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and Japanese opticospinal MS. Its target antigen is the water channel aquaporin-4, suggesting that NMO may represent a novel autoimmune channelopathy. Relapsing NMO has a poor prognosis; therapy, typically with immunosuppression, is necessary as early as possible in the disease course to prevent attack-related disability.     

Down's syndrome and neuromyelitis optica (Devic's disease). An autopsy-proven case

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has been attributed to different underlying pathological events. The aim of this paper is to present the first case report of a patient with Down's syndrome (DS) who died of a fulminant NMO. A 29-year-old woman with DS developed acute transverse myelitis, with complete visual loss and swollen optic discs. Two days later, she developed quadriplegia, respiratory arrest and died. The anatomical study demonstrated typical findings of DS in the brain without demyelinating lesions. A severe destruction of medulla and cervical cord with a very high degree of demyelination of the optic nerves was typical of monophasic NMO (Devic's disease). Most of the cases of NMO in Cuba are of the relapsing form, but this case report is the first one with monophasic NMO and DS with a very aggressive course. The link of the pathogenetic relationship between DS and NMO remains unclear; it may well be coincidence but the fact that the patient died very shortly after the onset suggests, at least on clinical grounds, that the presence of DS could have accelerated the fatal evolution of NMO.