title: Comparative clinical characteristics of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with and without medulla oblongata lesions.
abstract: Brainstem involvement, especially the medulla oblongata (MO), has been reported in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs). The purpose of this study was to investigate retrospectively and compare clinical, laboratory, and imaging features of NMOSDs with and without MO lesions. A total of 170 patients with NMOSDs were enrolled, including 44 patients with MO lesions and 126 patients without MO lesions. Clinical features, laboratory tests, and magnetic resonance imaging findings among these patients were assessed. MO lesions were found in 25.9 % of the NMOSDs patients. The mean duration was 13 months. Patients with MO lesions had a higher Annualized relapse rate and Expanded Disability Status Score Scale. Headache, dizziness, nystagmus, dysarthria, intractable hiccup and nausea, choking cough or dysphagia, movement disorders, and neuropathic pain were more common in MO lesion patients. Patients with MO lesions were more frequently complicated with thyroid diseases. Multiple brain involvement, More importantly, Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis were more frequently found in patients with MO lesions. MO lesions might be a symbol of more severe neurologic deficits and worse prognosis of NMOSDs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630, Guangdong, China, wangqiangdoctor@163.com.
authors.forename: Yanqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Bingjun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yongqiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Zhuang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Ciyong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Xueqiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Zhengqi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult