J Korean Neurol Assoc.
2000 Jan;18(1):85-88.
A Case of Devic's Neuromyelitis Optica with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University.
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.