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An Interesting Case of Spinal Cord Demyelination Neuromyelitis Optica – A Case Report

Bhuvaneswari V.R, Ushapadmini V, Rajamah .

Abstract


         Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a recurrent inflammatory disease that preferentially targets the optic nerves and spinal cord leading to blindness and paralysis. The hallmarks of NMO include bilateral optic neuritis and longitudinally              extensive transverse myelitis. NMO is associated with the NMO-IgG biomarker, which targets the aquaporin-4 water channel on astrocytes. Here we report a 36 years old female, who presented with subacute onset of paraparesis, with      sudden onset visual loss. MRI – spine of the patient showed longitudinally extending myelitis.VEP showed bilateral            demyelinating optic neuritis. Serum aquaporin 4 antibody was positive. She was diagnosed as a case of Neuromyelitis optica and treated with high-dose steroids followed by oral                       azathioprine.

 Keywords:   Transverse myelitis, Optic neuritis, Demyelination, Aquaporin -4 antibody.


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