J Korean Neurol Assoc.  2000 Jan;18(1):85-88.

A Case of Devic's Neuromyelitis Optica with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

• Jung SJ
• Park KH
• Kim HT
• Kim MH

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica (Devic's syndrome) is characterized by acute bilateral visual loss (optic neuritis), acute trans-verse myelitis, near simultaneous development of these optic and spinal symptoms, no other symptoms and involve-ment of the central nervous system. Sporadic reports of patients with neuromyelitis optica in association with tubercu-losis confined to the lungs have appeared over the last years. A 67-year-old man presented with visual disturbance and sudden onset of lower limb weakness. On neurological examination, bilateral visual loss, flaccid paraparesis, hypesthe-sia below T2 dermatome, and extensor plantar responses were noted. Chest X-ray revealed bilateral nodular densities in the upper lung fields and a fluorochrome stain for tuberculosis was positive. Magnetic resonance imaging showed spinal cord swelling and high signal intensity (T2WI) in thoracic spinal cord. We report a case of neuromyelitis optica with pulmonary tuberculosis. It is suggested that this condition might caused by an immune reaction to tuberculosis rather than the use of antituberculosis medication.

Keyword

Neuromyelitis optica; Pulmonary tuberculosis; Immune reaction

MeSH Terms

Aged
Central Nervous System
Humans
Lower Extremity
Lung
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Myelitis
Neurologic Examination
Neuromyelitis Optica*
Paraparesis
Reflex, Babinski
Spinal Cord
Thorax
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*