Cortical demyelinating lesions in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders? A case study with 8-year follow-up

We present a rare case with initially presenting as the cortical lesions including hemianopsia, seizure, mental and behavioral abnormalities, and then gradually developed the symptoms and signs with typical optic neuritis and acute longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Although cortical lesions have been regarded as “red flags”, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) was diagnosed preliminarily according to the clinical, laboratory and neuroimaging manifestations. The case has been followed up for 8 years so far (from 2008 to 2016). More importantly, this case study highlights the need for further research about the cortical demyelination in patients with NMOSD.