title: Atopic myelitis in a European woman residing in Japan.
abstract: Nearly 100 cases of atopic myelitis have been reported in Japan. However, it has only been described in two non-Japanese patients, both from Western Europe. We report a European individual who developed cervical myelitis while resident in Japan. This showed a partial response to corticosteroids. There was no clinical or radiological dissemination for over 5&emsp14;years, at which time she had a brainstem relapse caused by a new lesion in the medulla oblongata. The patient had high serum total IgE with evidence of allergy to several antigens, including house dust mite and soya. It is possible that the incidence of atopic myelitis may be underestimated where it is not standard practice to measure serum IgE levels in patients with myelopathy. Such cases will instead be subsumed into the diagnostic category of clinically isolated syndrome. However, it remains uncertain whether atopic myelitis is a distinct disease or falls within the spectrum of demyelinating diseases. Further studies are required to fully elucidate the relationship between atopy and the incidence and severity of CNS inflammatory disorders.
authors: National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK.
authors: Jeremy D
authors: JD
authors: Isaacs
authors: Benedetta
authors: B
authors: Bodini
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Ciccarelli
authors: Glenis K
authors: GK
authors: Scadding
authors: Alan J
authors: AJ
authors: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000473:pathology; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007564:Japan; D017336:Loratadine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009187:Myelitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D017336:Loratadine