Neuromyelitis Optica

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Neuromyelitis optica, also called NMO or Devic's disease, is a rare yet severe demyelinating autoimmune inflammatory process affecting the central nervous system. It specifically affects the myelin, which is the insulation around the nerves. NMO mainly affects the spinal cord and the optic nerves -- the nerves that carry signals from the eyes to the brain. As a result, the disease can cause paralysis and blindness. [1] In 1894, Eugène Devic and his PhD student Fernand Gault described 16 patients who had lost vision in one or both eyes and within weeks developed severe spastic weakness of the limbs, loss of sensation and often bladder control. They recognized these symptoms were the result of inflammation of the optic nerve and spinal cord  respectively.

Mechanism of Injury / Pathological Process[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to the mechanism of injury and/or pathology of the condition

Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to the clinical presentation of the condition

Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to diagnostic tests for the condition

Outcome Measures[edit | edit source]

add links to outcome measures here (see Outcome Measures Database)

Management / Interventions[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to management approaches to the condition

Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to the differential diagnosis of this condition

Resources[edit | edit source]

add appropriate resources here

References[edit | edit source]

  1. John Hopkins Medicine. Neuromyelitis Optics. Available from: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/neuromyelitis-optica (accessed 15/September/2020)