Neuromyelitis optica IgG predicts relapse after longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis

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 fo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of neurology 2006-03, Vol.59 (3), p.566-569
Main Authors: Weinshenker, Brian G., Wingerchuk, Dean M., Vukusic, Sandra, Linbo, Linda, Pittock, Sean J., Lucchinetti, Claudia F., Lennon, Vanda A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Biomarkers - blood
Chi-Square Distribution
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases
Humans
Immunoglobulin G - blood
Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Multiple sclerosis and variants. Guillain barré syndrome and other inflammatory polyneuropathies. Leukoencephalitis
Myelitis, Transverse - cerebrospinal fluid
Myelitis, Transverse - complications
Myelitis, Transverse - pathology
Neurology
Neuromyelitis Optica - blood
Neuromyelitis Optica - immunology
Predictive Value of Tests
Prospective Studies
Recurrence
Retrospective Studies
Serologic Tests - methods
Statistics, Nonparametric
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary: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
ISSN:0364-5134
1531-8249
DOI:10.1002/ana.20770