Acute combined central and peripheral demyelination showing anti-aquaporin 4 antibody positivity

Intern Med. 2012;51(17):2443-7. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.51.7590. Epub 2012 Sep 1.

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is characterized by optic neuritis or transverse myelitis with anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibodies (1). We herein present the case of a patient with NMOSD who also was affected with peripheral neuropathy. A 58-year-old woman developed gait disturbance and sensory impairment in the lower limbs. She exhibited longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis with anti-AQP4 antibodies. Nerve conduction studies showed demyelinating changes. Laboratory findings showed hepatitis-C virus (HCV) infection. Her peripheral neuropathy improved after immunotherapy. There have been no previous reports of NMO or NMOSD associated with neuropathy. The HCV infection or undetermined humoral factors other than the anti-AQP4 antibodies may have caused her peripheral neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / blood*
  • Aquaporin 4 / immunology*
  • Carbamazepine / therapeutic use
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuromyelitis Optica / drug therapy
  • Neuromyelitis Optica / epidemiology*
  • Neuromyelitis Optica / immunology*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / immunology*
  • Prednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic
  • Aquaporin 4
  • Carbamazepine
  • Prednisolone
  • Methylprednisolone