Neuromyelitis optica with painful tonic spasms

ABSTRACT

A thirty-year-old female with cervical cord myelitis and recurrent optic neuritis was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica [an uncommon demyelinating disorder of central nervous system]. Few days after successful treatment of recurrent optic neuritis, she developed painful tonic spasms. Clinical examination and repeated investigations did not reveal any relapse of the disease. The neurologist prescribed oral antiepileptic drugs, which controlled her spasms. Painful Tonic Spasm [PTS] is known to be associated with Neuromyelitis Optica [NMO] as well as Multiple Sclerosis [MS]. However, it is misunderstood and an under diagnosed condition. The fact that PTS could be readily ameliorated with antiepileptic drugs, underscores the importance of its prompt detection