Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder mimicking recurrent cervical myelopathy after laminoplasty

Abstract

A 32-year-old female with paresis of the right lower limb due to sequela of cerebral palsy. She was consulted to our hospital with chief complaints of weakness of limbs and difficulty walking. She had a surgical history of laminoplasty for cervical spondylosis myelopathy three years ago, and suffered from paresis of limbs 2 weeks ago. MRI showed compression of cervical spinal cord due to postoperative lamina migration into canal and extensive edema of the cervical spinal cord. The serum anti-aquaporin 4 antibody was positive. Since she had no optic neuritis, she was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. She was able to walk with walking assistive devices 5 months after medical treatment.