Neuromyelitis optica after splenectomy: A secondary autoimmune phenomenon

James M Hillis; Farrah J Mateen

doi:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.03.008

Neuromyelitis optica after splenectomy: A secondary autoimmune phenomenon

J Neuroimmunol. 2019 May 15:330:152-154. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.03.008. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Authors

James M Hillis¹, Farrah J Mateen²

Affiliations

¹ Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Neurology, 165 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: james.hillis@mgh.harvard.edu.
² Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Neurology, 165 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: fmateen@mgh.harvard.edu.

PMID: 30884276
DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2019.03.008

Abstract

We describe the case of a 53-year-old woman who undergoes total splenectomy and later presents with aquaporin-4 antibody positive neuromyelitis optica (NMO). The occurrence of NMO after acquired immunosuppression raises the possibility of NMO as a form of secondary autoimmunity.

Keywords: Aquaporin-4 antibody; Neuromyelitis optica; Secondary autoimmunity; Splenectomy.

Publication types

Case Reports
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Autoimmunity / immunology*
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Neuromyelitis Optica / diagnostic imaging*
Neuromyelitis Optica / etiology
Neuromyelitis Optica / immunology*
Splenectomy / adverse effects*