Devic’s disease: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder – A case series

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune disease that mainly involves the optic nerve and the spinal cord. Purpose of this case series is to better understand the clinical profile of patients with NMOSD, its treatment, and prognosis and to differentiate them from patients having other demyelinating disorders. Five patients (one male and four females) aged between 18 and 65 years were studied. All of them presented with severe vision loss. Bilateral optic nerve involvement was seen in four patients and unilateral involvement in one patient. One patient presented with only optic nerve involvement, two presented with initial optic nerve involvement followed by neurologic symptoms, while two patients presented with neurologic symptoms initially followed by optic nerve involvement. One patient was Neuromyelitis optica antibody negative and was diagnosed based on magnetic resonance imaging features. Two patients had optic atrophy at presentation itself, one had bilateral disc edema, and two had retrobulbar optic neuritis. All were treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants.