Neuromyelitis optica.
The authors report a case of a 16-year-old girl with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus who developed bilateral acute optic neuritis.
Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with a specific autoantibody, anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab). Although low-dose corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are widely used for prevention in NMO, the efficacy is not yet confirmed by large controlled studies. Objective: To evaluate the benefit of low-dose prednisolone therapy in patients with relapsing NMO.
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or Devic’s disease is an uncommon idiopathic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with selective involvement of the optic nerves and spinal cord. There are no scientifically proven guidelines on treatment of this condition either in the acute attacks or on a long-term basis.