Neuromyelitis Optica Preceded by Brain Demyelinating Episode

Authors: Amemiya, Shimon; Hamamoto, Makoto; Kumagai, Tomoaki; Ueda, Masayuki; Katayama, Yasuo; Tanaka, Keiko

Source: Journal of Neuroimaging, Volume 19, Number 3, July 2009 , pp. 263-265(3)

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Abstract:

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is considered a distinct disease from multiple sclerosis (MS) because of its pathogenesis. It is well accepted that NMO selectively affects the spinal cord and optic nerve and is not associated with brain lesions at the onset of the disease, unlike MS. We present a unique case where the patient's initial lesion was in the brain, and optic neuritis and myelitis were revealed 6 years after the brain lesion. In addition, the patient's serum antiaquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibody was positive. We consider the brain lesion to precede abnormal lesion of NMO, and the AQP4 measurement is important for diagnostics, even if it occurs with brain lesions.

J Neuroimaging 2009;19:263-265.

Keywords: Neuromyelitis optica; aquaporin 4; brain lesion; MRI

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6569.2008.00288.x

Affiliations: 1: Division of Neurology, Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan (SA, MH, TK, MU, YK); and Department of Neurology, Kanazawa Medical University, Kanazawa, Japan (KT).[Correction added after online publication 10-June-2009: Received and revised dates have been corrected.]

Publication date: 2009-07-01