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Extensive cerebral white matter involvement in a patient with NMO spectrum disorder

Xavier Ayrignac1, Clarisse Carra Dalière2, Elodie Nerrant2

  • 1CHU Montpellier, France xavier.ayrignac@yahoo.fr.

Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|May 24, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorder can involve the brain, with rare cases showing extensive white matter T2 hyperintensities on MRI. This suggests a potential for progressive cerebral involvement in some NMO patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorder is an autoimmune condition primarily affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord.
  • Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) abnormalities are reported in up to 60% of NMO patients, but white matter T2 hyperintensities are uncommon.

Observation:

  • A case study of a 49-year-old woman with a long-standing diagnosis of NMO spectrum disorder is presented.
  • This patient exhibited diffuse cerebral white matter T2-weighted hyperintensities on brain MRI.

Findings:

  • The observed diffuse white matter T2 hyperintensities in this NMO patient are rarely reported.
  • This finding challenges the typical understanding of NMO's cerebral involvement.

Implications:

  • The case suggests that some patients with NMO spectrum disorder may develop significant and progressive cerebral white matter lesions.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms and clinical significance of extensive cerebral involvement in NMO.
Keywords:
Devic’s syndromeNeuromyelitis Opticawhite matter disease

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