Neuromyelitis optica unmasked by a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMO-SD) and spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (SDAVF) can both cause longitudinally extensive myelopathy. We describe a case of longitudinally extensive myelopathy attributed to a SDAVF. Despite treatment, myelopathy recurred and led to subsequent NMO-SD diagnosis. We consider a possible link between the two disorders which may shed light on the pathophysiology of NMO-SD. To our knowledge, this is the first published case of co-existent NMO-SD and SDAVF leading to myelopathy.
Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address: bfreund3@jhmi.edu.
Brin
B
Freund
Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.
Ellen M
EM
Mowry
Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address: emowry1@jhmi.edu.
McR
Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address: mlevy@jhmi.edu.
Michael
M
Levy
Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address: snewsom2@jhmi.edu.
Scott D
SD
Newsome
D000328:Adult; D020785:Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
Devic's disease; Neuromyelitis optica; Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula; Transverse myelitis