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Contribution of spinal cord biopsy to diagnosis of aquaporin-4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

Item Type:Article
Title:Contribution of spinal cord biopsy to diagnosis of aquaporin-4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Creators Name:Ringelstein, M. and Metz, I. and Ruprecht, K. and Koch, A. and Rappold, J. and Ingwersen, J. and Mathys, C. and Jarius, S. and Brück, W. and Hartung, H.P. and Paul, F. and Aktas, O.
Abstract:Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis is characteristic but not pathognomonic for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) and may mimic local tumors. In this retrospective study based on a cohort of 175 NMOSD patients we identified seven patients who initially presented with a longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesion and underwent spinal cord biopsy due to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-suspected malignancies. Remarkably, routine neuropathology was inconclusive and did not guide the diagnostic process to anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4)-seropositive NMOSD. Serious postoperative complications occurred in 5/7 patients and persisted during follow-up in 2/7 patients (29%). Considering these sequelae, AQP4-antibody testing should be mandatory in patients with inconclusive longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions prior to biopsy.
Keywords:Spinal Cord Tumor, Longitudinally Extensive Spinal Cord Lesion, Spinal Biopsy, Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis, Neuromyelitis Optica, Aquaporin-4 Antibody
Source:Multiple Sclerosis Journal
ISSN:1352-4585
Publisher:Sage Publications
Volume:20
Number:7
Page Range:882-888
Date:June 2014
Official Publication:https://doi.org/10.1177/1352458513510981
PubMed:View item in PubMed

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