Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Presenting Radiologically like Spinal Astrocytoma

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an infrequent antibody-mediated disorder of the central nervous system. The diagnosis is made in the setting of specific clinical syndromes and a positive aquaporin‑4 antibody titer. Intramedullary spinal cord tumors may clinically and radiologically mimic NMOSD, necessitating careful differentiation, especially in individuals who meet the epidemiological profile of NMOSD. We report two cases of NMOSD in young female patients who had a neuroradiological diagnosis of spinal cord astrocytoma and were initially planned for spinal cord surgery. We aim to highlight the similarities between NMOSD and spinal cord tumors using these two clinical cases.