[Case of multiple sclerosis with Devic's syndrome and secondary cerebellar signs]

The authors describe a 43-year-old woman treated for multiple sclerosis during 11 years in whom at the end of her life tetraplegia, bulbar syndrome and cerebellar syndrome developed. Postmortem examination of the brain disclosed changes compatible with the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, diffuse sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. The variability of the demyelinating process is discussed. In this case this variability was responsible for successive appearance of various nosological entities depending on the "balance of power" between the factors damaging myelin and the resistance of the organism.