title: [Recurring neuromyelitis without optic neuritis: a case report].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuromyelitis optica, or Devic's disease, is an inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that selectively affects the optic nerves and the spinal cord, with a high rate of relapses. Anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies are a highly specific marker for this condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 66-year-old female with longitudinally extensive dorsal transverse myelitis with complete remission following steroidal treatment and later acute relapse, with palsy in one limb. The differential diagnoses considered included a spinal tumour and arteriovenous malformation of the spinal cord. Being positive for AQP4 was the decisive factor in the final diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early detection of anti-AQP4 antibodies together with appropriate immunotherapy can be the key to a better prognosis. An early diagnosis is essential to be able to start treatment at an early stage and thus prevent relapses and severe sequelae.
authors: Centro Medico de Asturias, Oviedo, Espana. rgarrod05@yahoo.es
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Garcia-Rodriguez
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Fernandez-Dominguez
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Gomez-Illan
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Lopez-Roger
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Mateos
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D051401:Aquaporin 4 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004806:Ependymoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009188:Myelitis, Transverse / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica; D012008:Recurrence; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D013595:Syringomyelia / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: C496030:AQP4 protein, human; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D051401:Aquaporin 4; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001324:Autoantigens