Keywords:Devic’s syndrome;neuromyelitis optica;plasma exchange;apheresis;steroid-refractory;MRI Abstract Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with exacerbations involving the optic nerves, spinal cord, or both. This study explores the utility of maintenance plasma exchange (mTPE) as a therapy in patients with relapsing, corticosteroid-refractory, NMO. This retrospective case series presents data on patients who were diagnosed with NMO using currently accepted criteria
? NARCOMS Report-2007 Registry Update Optic Neuritis in Multiple Sclerosis ? Neuromyelitis Optica Dean M. Wingerchuk, MD, MSc, FRCP(C) A Historical Perspective on NMO Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also known as Devic’s disease, was identified more than one hundred years ago as a severe disorder affecting the spinal cord (causing paralysis) and both optic nerves (causing blindness).
Background Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease that predominantly affects the optic nerves and the spinal cord, and is possibly mediated by an immune mechanism distinct from that of multiple sclerosis (MS).
BACKGROUND: Interferon-β-1b (IFNβ-1b) has been used to prevent exacerbation of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) including optic-spinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS) in Japan. We encountered 2 patients with OSMS with unexpectedly severe exacerbation soon after the initiation of IFNβ-1b therapy. The experience urged us to retrospectively review the patients with RRMS who had been treated with IFNβ-1b to identify similar cases.