Diagnosis and management of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders - An update

Alice Bruscolini; Marta Sacchetti; Maurizio La Cava; Magda Gharbiya; Massimo Ralli; Alessandro Lambiase; Armando De Virgilio; Antonio Greco

doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2018.01.001

Diagnosis and management of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders - An update

Autoimmun Rev. 2018 Mar;17(3):195-200. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2018.01.001. Epub 2018 Jan 13.

Authors

Alice Bruscolini¹, Marta Sacchetti², Maurizio La Cava³, Magda Gharbiya⁴, Massimo Ralli⁵, Alessandro Lambiase⁶, Armando De Virgilio⁷, Antonio Greco⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: alice.bruscolini@uniroma1.it.
² Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: marta.sacchetti@uniroma1.it.
³ Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: maurizio.lacava@uniroma1.it.
⁴ Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: magda.gharbiya@uniroma1.it.
⁵ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: massimo.ralli@uniroma1.it.
⁶ Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: alessandro.lambiase@uniroma1.it.
⁷ Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Alessandro Manzoni, 56, 20089 Rozzano (MI), Italy. Electronic address: armando.devirgilio@uniroma1.it.
⁸ Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: antonio.greco@uniroma1.it.

PMID: 29339316
DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2018.01.001

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are a group of autoimmune conditions characterized by inflammatory involvement of the optic nerve, spinal cord and central nervous system. Novel evidence showed a key role of autoantibodies against aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4 IgG) in the pathogenesis of NMOSD and, recently, new classification and diagnostic criteria have been adopted to facilitate an earlier identification and improve the management of these conditions. Diagnosis of NMOSD is currently based on clinical, neuroimaging and laboratory features. Standard treatment is based on the use of steroids and immunosuppressive drugs and aims to control the severity of acute attacks and to prevent relapses of the disease. This review gives an update of latest knowledge of NMOSD and NMO, emphasizing the novel diagnostic criteria and both current and future therapeutic approaches.

Keywords: Aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G; Diagnostic criteria; Management; Neuromyelitis optica; Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adult
Central Nervous System / metabolism
Humans
Middle Aged
Neuromyelitis Optica / diagnosis*
Neuromyelitis Optica / therapy*