DEVIC’S OPTICOMYELITIS: A CASE REPORT FROM THE AUTHORS’ CLINICAL PRACTICE

Abstract

The aim was to analyze the contemporary scientific literature on Devic’s opticomyelitis and to present a case report from our clinical practice. Based on the patient’s complaints, case history and features of clinical course, objective neurological status, clinical laboratory and additional examination methods, characteristic MR-patterns, consultations of related specialists and differential diagnostics, we made the clinical diagnosis according to ICD-10: G36.0 Devic’s opticomyelitis, exacerbation, with a sustained bilateral lesion of the optic nerves in the form of retrobulbar neuritis with the development of partial atrophy of the optic nerves in both eyes, spinal cord lesions with common cystic, cicatrical and atrophic alterations at C1-Th8 level with moderate lower paraparesis, expressed by sensory ataxia, sensory disturbances by the descending conductive type from Th10, impaired function of pelvic organs by the type of acute urinary retention, asthenic and neurotic syndrome. Widespread cases of demyelinating pathology in medical practice and complexity of differential diagnostics determine the need for a specific diagnostic algorithm. This algorithm should consider anamnestic data along with the course of the disease, clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination, including neuroimaging, analysis of CSF for oligoclonal bands, analysis for IgG antibodies to AQP4, which will allow to carry out diagnostics and to decide on tactics for further management of patients of this cohort. Further research is needed to conduct additional studies for optimization of tactics for dynamics monitoring and improvement of diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation measures in patients with Devic’s opticomyelitis, including appropriate immunological control, given the complexity of differential diagnostics and the affinity of this pathology to multiple sclerosis.