MOGAD Involving Cranial Neuropathies: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is an autoimmune-mediated demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Patients with MOGAD may develop any combination of optic neuritis (ON), myelitis, brainstem syndrome and encephalitis. Reports of MOGAD with cranial nerve involvement are rare. Herein, we report a MOGAD patient with cranial neuropathies. In addition, we summarized the clinical features of the previously reported six MOG-IgG-positive cases with cranial nerve involvement and discussed the underlying mechanisms of MOGAD involving cranial nerves. Cranial neuropathy is an emerging phenotype in MOGAD, which has characteristics of both central and peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement, with the trigeminal nerve being the most commonly affected nerve. MOG antibody testing in patients with cranial neuropathies is warranted, and immunotherapy is advocated when the risk of relapse is high. Although higher antibody titers and persistently positive serological test results are predictive of disease recurrence, the long-term outcomes of MOG-IgG-positive patients with cranial neuropathies remain largely unknown.