Neuromyelitis optica IgG predicts relapse after longitudinally extensive tm

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Ann Neurol. 2006 Feb 1; [Epub ahead of print]Related Articles, Links
Neuromyelitis optica IgG predicts relapse after longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis.

Weinshenker BG, Wingerchuk DM, Vukusic S, Linbo L, Pittock SJ, Lucchinetti CF, Lennon VA.

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether neuromyelitis optica (NMO) IgG seropositivity at the initial presentation of longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) predicts relapse of myelitis or development of optic neuritis. METHODS: Prospective study of patients with initial LETM who were tested for the presence of NMO-IgG. RESULTS: Eleven of 29 patients (37.9%) were seropositive after a first attack of LETM spanning three or more vertebral segments on magnetic resonance imaging. Of 23 patients followed up for 1 year, none of 14 who were seronegative experienced a relapse or developed optic neuritis. Of 9 seropositive patients, 5 developed a second event: 4 of 9 (44%) developed recurrent transverse myelitis and 1 of 9 (11%) developed optic neuritis (p = 0.004). INTERPRETATION: LETM represents an inaugural or limited form of NMO in a high proportion of patients. The 40% of patients who are seropositive for NMO-IgG are at high risk for relapse. Ann Neurol 2006.

PMID: 16453327 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]