A Case of Neuromyelitis Opitica (Devic Disease)

ABSTRACT

Neuromyelitis optica (Devic disease) is a rare demyelinating disorder of unknown etiology in which unilateral or bilateral optic neuritis and transverse myelitis occur within 8 weeks. The disease has no clinical involvement beyond the spinal cord or optic nerves. This illness occurs more commonly in adults than in children. The prognosis is better in children than in adults. The authors experienced a case of neuromyelitis optica (Devic disease) in a 5-year-old female who developed acute visual loss of the left eye, paraplegia, sensory change above the 4th thoracic dermatome, nuchal rigidity and fever. We diagnosed this case through neurologic features, magnetic resonance imaging, ophthalmoscopy and cerebrospinal fluid findings. The patient improved with conservative treatment without sequelae.