Neuromyelitis optica unmasked by a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula

Brin Freund; Ellen M Mowry; McR; Michael Levy; Scott D Newsome

doi:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.10.005

Neuromyelitis optica unmasked by a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula

J Neuroimmunol. 2016 Nov 15:300:18-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.10.005. Epub 2016 Oct 12.

Authors

Brin Freund¹, Ellen M Mowry², McR³, Michael Levy⁴, Scott D Newsome⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address: bfreund3@jhmi.edu.
² Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.
³ Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address: emowry1@jhmi.edu.
⁴ Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address: mlevy@jhmi.edu.
⁵ Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States. Electronic address: snewsom2@jhmi.edu.

PMID: 27806871
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.10.005

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Devic's disease; Neuromyelitis optica; Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula; Transverse myelitis.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / complications*
Central Nervous System Vascular Malformations / diagnostic imaging*
Female
Humans
Neuromyelitis Optica / diagnostic imaging*
Neuromyelitis Optica / etiology*
Spinal Cord / diagnostic imaging*