Aquaporin-4-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with recurrent short partial transverse myelitis and favorable prognosis: Two new cases

Understanding the characteristics of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) with recurrent short partial transverse myelitis (SPTM), which is very rare, contributes to the differential diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS). We present two Chinese aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G (AQP4-IgG)-seropositive NMOSD cases who had at least twice SPTM during 4 and 6 years of follow-up, respectively. Their SPTMs have been mild and responded well to corticosteroids just like in the case of MS. The findings highlight the need of searching for serum AQP4-IgG (cell-based assay strongly recommended) in patients with recurrent SPTM and suggest that those patients may have a mild acute attack phase and favorable long-term prognosis.