Ces radiol. 2009, 63(3):238-241

Neuromyelitis optica - new diagnostic criteriaCase report

Manuela Vaněčková¹, Dana Horáková², Andrea Burgetová¹, Jitka Němcová³, Zdeněk Seidl^1,3

¹ Oddělení MR, Radiodiagnostická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

² Neurologická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

³ Vysoká škola zdravotnická, Praha

In this case report we present possible difficulties in diagnostic of neuromyelitis optica (also known as Devic disease). It is an agresive demyelinatting disease consisiting of optic neuritis and myelitis, which occure simultaneously or consequently, with central cord lesion extending over three or more vertebral segments. Recently, two new observations were made; first MRI pathology findings do not exclude this diagnosis, more over typical localizations of lesions were given and a new criteria for diagnostics were presented. They combine clinical findings, MRI findings and anti-aquaporin 4 antibody findings. Differenciation of neuromyelitis optica from multiple sclerosis is crucial because of different therapeutic procedures for each disease.

Keywords: neuromyelitis optica, magnetic resonance imaging, multiple sclerosis, diagnostics

Grants and funding:

Práce vznikla za podpory výzkumného záměru MZOVFN2005 a MSMOO21620849.

Accepted: May 5, 2009; Published: September 1, 2009  Show citation