Tumefactive Demyelination Associated with Bilateral Optic Neuritis in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Tumefactive demyelination is an uncommon neurological disorder mimicking tumors. It is one of the rare varieties of demyelinating disorders, often causing diagnostic dilemma among neuroscientists. The literature tells us about approaching these patients added by peculiar neuroimaging findings. Neuromyelitis optica is an immune mediated inflammatory clinical disorder, typically involving optic nerves bilaterally and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. With the revelation of aquaporin four channels, its distribution in the brain and related antibody, the concept of neuromyelitis optica spectra disorders has been evolved. In this case report, our intention is to present a young female who presented with bilateral vision loss with tumor-like mass lesion in cerebral cortex. Such an association of bilateral optic neuropathy involving chiasmatic region, suggestive of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) with tumefactive demyelination is rarely reported in the literature.