Progress in diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disease of central nervous system involving the optic nerves and spinal. It was considered an optic⁃spinal form of multiple sclerosis (MS) until serum anti ⁃ aquaporin ⁃ 4 antibody (NMO ⁃ IgG) were suggested to be a specific biomarker of NMO, distinguishing it from MS. Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is suggested to be one of the most characteristic spinal cord lesions of NMO. Wingerchuk criteria and criteria recommended by National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) task force on differential diagnosis of MS are two main diagnostic criteria of NMO. This review discusses the recent progress in diagnosis of NMO.

DOI：10.3969/j.issn.1672⁃6731.2012.02.007