title: [Diagnosis and treatment of neuromyelitis optica].
abstract: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease characterized by antibodies against aquaporin-4 in up to 80% of the cases and even less in the NMO spectrum disorders, which may be difficult to distinguish from early multiple sclerosis. While immunosuppressive therapy should be introduced in definite NMO, treatment strategies of NMO spectrum disorders are less clearly defined. Here, we review the current guidelines for treatment of NMO and NMO spectrum disorders in the light of two cases, and suggest a practical approach to the management of these disorders.
authors.affiliation: Neurologisk Afdeling, Odense Universitetshospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000 Odense C. hhnielsen@health.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Helle Hvilsted
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Mads
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ravnborg
authors.forename: Zsolt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Illes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D051401:Aquaporin 4 / Q000276:immunology; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D051401:Aquaporin 4; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids; D001379:Azathioprine; D008775:Methylprednisolone