Editorial Comment: Unilateral Visual Loss in a Previously Healthy 15-Year-Old Girl: Monosymptomatic Neuromyelitis Optica?

Dr Kerrigan et al describe an interesting case of isolated unilateral optic neuritis with typical clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and electrophysiological evidence in a pediatric patient. The patient tested positive for aquaporin-4 antibodies in both the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. No other imaging or clinical findings were described to be present that would suggest any additional diencephalic, brainstem, or cerebral involvement, where aquaporin-4 (AQP4) pathology can be seen in addition to the optic nerves and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed the presence of oligoclonal bands, in itself not distinguishing between multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica (NMO), although more frequently noted in multiple sclerosis. The patient had otherwise unremarkable findings on brain and cervical spinal cord MRI.
Source: Seminars in Pediatric Neurology - Category: Neurology Authors: Source Type: research