Diagnostic Dilemma in the Management of a Cervical Spinal Cord Lesion: A Case Report of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

• DOI: 10.11648/j.ijn.20250901.14
• Publication Date: 2025-05-08T06:54:44Z
• Authors: Kelechi Azode; Simon Balogun; Morenikeji Komolafe; Babatunde Olasode; Edward Komolafe
• Keywords: Neuromyelitis Optica; Spectrum disorder; Spinal Cord Diseases

Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorder is a condition in which antibodies are elaborated against aquaporin water channels the end foot processes of astrocytes due to autoimmune dysregulation thereby initiating cascade neuroinflammatory events that culminates astrocytic injury, dysfunctional axonal blebs and demyelination central nervous system neurons. Its cervical spine symptom may sometimes mimic similar presentation lesion, this further underscored by its core clinical magnetic resonance image feature longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis bearing radiologic similarities with an intramedullary spinal cord lesion resonating need maintain high index suspicion when evaluating patients either conditions. Laboratory elucidation increased titers -4 immunoglobulin seronegativity for oligoclonal bands diagnostic hallmark helps differentiate it from conditions such as multiple sclerosis myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein disorder. While mainstay treatment involves use steroids, immunosuppressive therapy plasmapheresis, pertinent highlight surgery have potential benefit acute exacerbations symptoms attributable compressive myelopathy disease. We report case 50-year-old female who had features initially suspected be but eventually proven laboratory parameters histological analysis resected tissue specimen keeping