4 Interesting Facts of Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
- Inflammatory disorder of central nervous system characterized by recurrent attacks of optic neuritis and acute transverse myelitis
- Similar features include abrupt changes in vision, weakness and numbness of extremities, spasticity, and loss of bowel or bladder control
- Differentiating features include intractable hiccups or protracted nausea and vomiting
- Clinical diagnosis is aided by any of the following on imaging or laboratory tests:
- Distinctive, elongated cord lesions (extending 3 or more vertebral segments) on MRI
- Seropositivity for AQP4-IgG (ie, autoantibody against aquaporin 4)
- Brain MRI findings not meeting diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis
