Abstract

Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system which affects the spinal cord. It may be a spectrum of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) syndrome. NMO is a relapsing disease which is usually associated with increased disability and morbidity. Here we report a 61 year-old woman with subacute left hemiparesis, who had paraparesis and quadriparesis, each once in the past. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed lesion areas throughout all the cervical segments. During etiological research, anti-aquaporin 4 antibody was found positive. With this case report, we aimed to emphasize the importance of measurement of anti-aquaporin 4 levels in patients with transverse myelitis.

Key words: transverse myelitis, anti-aquaporin 4 antibody, neuromyelitis optica