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

Tools

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Contribution of spinal cord biopsy to diagnosis of aquaporin-4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Creators Name:	Ringelstein, M., Metz, I., Ruprecht, K., Koch, A., Rappold, J., Ingwersen, J., Mathys, C., Jarius, S., Brück, W., Hartung, H.P., 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

Repository Staff Only: item control page