NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA. CASE REPORT
Authors: Mammadbayli A.K. , Mehtiyeva Sh.N. , Ismayilova S.C. 
Published: December 2023

Introduction. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune disease that causes severe demyelination, especially in the optic nerve and spinal cord with typical clinical manifestations of acute optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. The frequency of occurrence worldwide is estimated at 1-2 people out of every 100,000 people. Case report. Our patient was a 37-year-old woman. She felt a sudden vision loss since May 2022. She related this condition to another case of unknown etiology that she encountered in January of that year - numerous vesicular-type rashes appeared on the abdomen and back and lasted for 3 days, but the traces of those rashes remained for some time in the form of hypopigmentation. In November 2022, she has a sudden vision loss again. "Vitiligo-type" white spots were visible around the eyes and on the hands. In neurological examination: eyeball movements are complete in all directions, photoreaction is preserved (D=S), nose-lip folds are symmetrical (D=S), tongue is on the midline, swallowing is not disturbed. Muscle tone and muscle strength in upper and lower limbs are normal, reflexes have increased (D=S). No changes in gait and sensory disturbances have been observed. The functions of the pelvic organs have not been disturbed. Intellect appears appropriate for age, speech has not changed. Ophthalmologist's examination, both eyes have high degree of myopia, myopic astigmatism. Contrasted Cranial MRI- Angiography revealed increased signal in the intracranial segments of the bilateral optic nerve, chiasm, and bilateral optic tract level. The MRI image was initially evaluated in favor of bilateral optic neuritis. USG of the thyroid gland showed sonographic changes in favor of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and autoimmune thyroiditis was detected. In chest MRI, a demyelinating lesion of 3 mm at C4 level, a 2 mm broad-based protrusion at C4-5 disc that minimally compresses the spinal cord, an annular swelling at C5-6 disc that compresses the anterior subarachnoid area, Th1 – 6 mm, Th5 – 12 mm, Th9 – 10-38 mm long demyelinating lesions were seen. Discussion. According to the available literature, the detection of AQP-4 protein antibodies in serum, which has a role in the pathogenesis of the disease, can play a decisive role in differential diagnosis. In clinical practice, despite the phenotypic and serological characteristics of this disease, the diagnosis is often difficult. Because there are various autoimmune, infectious and neoplastic etiologies phenotypic, manifestations of diseases can mimic neuromyelitis optica. However, based on the clinical symptoms and the results of instrumental examinations, our patient was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica. She was treated with hormonal therapy and plasmapheresis, and a significant positive change in neurological symptoms was observed. Conclusion. Despite the difficulties in the differential diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica with other demyelinating diseases, especially with multiple sclerosis, it is possible to correctly assess the diagnostic criteria by understanding the detailed clinical, radiological and prognostic differences.