Fulminant Devic disease successfully treated by lymphocytapheresis

Abstract

In August 2001, a 27-year-old woman developed acute loss of vision and sensory disturbance in both lower extremities after coughing. The next morning (day 2), she was totally blind and was admitted to our hospital. Neurological examination showed total blindness, papilloedema, moderate muscle weakness of the hip and thigh muscles, positive pathological reflexes of the limbs, hyper-reflexia and sensory loss below the T4–5 level. Loss of vesicorectal function and perspiration below the chest were also observed.