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A rare presentation of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) as acute hemorrhagic longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis
Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine volume 54, Article number: 189 (2023)
Abstract
Background
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease is usually associated with optic neuritis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis or transverse myelitis. We are presenting a rare case report wherein myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody seropositivity was associated with hemorrhagic longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. To our knowledge, no such cases were found to be published.
Case presentation
A 15-year-old female came with complaints of sudden onset paraparesis. MRI was performed within 48 h from the episode of paraparesis, which revealed a long-segment, intramedullary, expansile and heterogeneously enhancing spinal cord lesion extending from T1 vertebral level up to conus medullaris. Few foci of blooming were also noted within the spinal cord on gradient sequences. Laboratory evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed no significant abnormality. Neuromyelitis optica antibodies were negative, and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies (MOG) showed seropositivity. The patient was started on methylprednisolone and plasmapheresis for the same after which the patient gradually improved and regained her ability to walk. Follow-up MRI was performed after 4 weeks, which revealed significant reduction in the extent of the intramedullary lesion described earlier.
Conclusions
Hemorrhagic longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis without any involvement of optic nerves and brain may show MOG seropositivity, and it should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis in acute myelopathy.
Background
MOGAD is most commonly seen in children and young adults [1]. Optic neuritis is one of the most common clinical presentation of MOGAD and is usually seen bilaterally [2, 3]. Spinal cord findings in MOGAD include abnormal T2 hyperintensity, centrally located involving both gray and white matter [2]. Dubey et al. [4] described a characteristic MRI finding in MOGAD, which was sagittal T2 hyperintense line surrounded by more hazy T2 hyperintense signal involving the anterior and posterior gray matter horns. The spinal cord presentation of MOGAD may be in the form of: a) longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (involving three or more vertebral segments) or b) short lesions involving less than two vertebral segments [5, 6]. The involvement of conus medullaris is observed more in MOGAD spectrum more than any other reported demyelinating disorders [4, 6, 7].
The hemorrhagic longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis as a standalone finding without the involvement of brain and optic nerves was not reported in any of the MOGAD spectrum of disorders.
Case presentation
Clinical profile
A 15-year-old female came with complaints of sudden onset paraparesis. Patient had history of urinary retention 8 days before the episode of paraparesis. There was no history of trauma/fever/recent vaccination/hereditary disorders/previous history of similar episodes.
Blood investigations
Routine complete blood counts and cerebrospinal fluid evaluations were normal. Serum myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies showed seropositivity, while the neuromyelitis optica antibodies (NMOs) were negative.
MRI findings
MRI was performed within 48 h of the onset of paraparesis, which revealed a long-segment, intramedullary, expansile, heterogeneously enhancing spinal cord lesion extending from T1 vertebral level till conus medullaris. Few foci of blooming were also noted in the spinal cord on gradient sequences (Fig. 1a–f). Brain and orbit MRI evaluation was normal. Although consideration was given for spinal tumors like ependymoma and astrocytoma, the acute presentation of the symptoms made them clinically less likely. A diagnosis of MOGAD-associated hemorrhagic longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis was made.
Treatment
The patient was started on IV methylprednisolone 1 g/day for 5 days followed by 5 cycles of plasmapheresis on alternate days.
Follow-up
Four weeks following treatment, the patient gradually improved and regained her ability to walk and follow-up MRI revealed significant decrease in the spinal cord lesion (Fig. 2a–c) suggesting good response to the treatment and establishing the diagnosis of MOGAD-positive hemorrhagic longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis.
Conclusions
Hemorrhagic longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis as a standalone finding without any involvement of optic nerves and brain may show MOGAD seropositivity and should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis in cases of acute myelopathy.
Availability of data and materials
The data and materials supporting the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.
Abbreviations
- MOG:
-
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein
- MOGAD:
-
Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease
- MRI:
-
Magnetic resonance imaging
- IV:
-
Intra-venous
- NMO:
-
Neuromyelitis optica
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AN, SM, DP, BB and NS analyzed and interpreted the case study. AN and DP were major contributors in writing the case report and review of literature. JS decided the management protocol. All authors contributed to the writing and review of the manuscript and approved the final version for submission.
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This study was approved by institution ethical committee. Written informed consent was taken from the patient and parents of the patient.
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All authors read and approved the final manuscript. The patient and parents of the patient included in this study gave written and informed consent to publish the data and materials contained within the study.
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Nerlekar, A., Malvadkar, S., Patil, D. et al. A rare presentation of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) as acute hemorrhagic longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Egypt J Radiol Nucl Med 54, 189 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-023-01126-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-023-01126-6