Neuromyelitis optica in the old age: a clinico-pathological contribution.
We present a case of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in a previously healthy 64-year-old woman. While CT scan and MRI investigations of the brain as well as myelography were normal, CSF revealed a pathological increase of IgG. Notwithstanding an intensive steroid therapy the patient died after 4 1/2 months. Microscopic examination showed, besides extensive demyelination of the optic nerves and spinal cord (especially in its cervico-dorsal tract), several small demyelinating plaques in the white matter of the pons and near the right lateral ventricle. These findings confirm once again that NMO is a clinical variant of multiple sclerosis and that this disease may make it first appearance at an old age.
Servizio di Neurologia, U.S.L.23, Arezzo.
M
M
Ghezzi
M
M
Giansanti
G M
GM
Malentacchi
F
F
Barontini
D000368:Aged; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000473:pathology*; D009896:Optic Atrophy / Q000473:pathology; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology