Article Text
Abstract
This study describes a young girl who presented with involuntary weight loss, spontaneous vomiting and behavioural change. Imaging confirmed hypothalamic and brainstem involvement. Routine investigations (including cerebrospinal fluid analysis and neuromyelitis optica IgG) were unhelpful. Biopsy of the hypothalamic lesion implicated an aggressive inflammatory aetiology. There was a response to conventional immunosuppression, while a further relapse responded to plasma exchange. She died 21 months after presentation. Postmortem examination was highly suggestive of neuromyelitis optica, which was subsequently confirmed following the identification of aquaporin 4 antibodies.
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Footnotes
Funding: SV is funded by a Patrick Berthoud Clinical Fellowship. PW is supported by Oxford Biomedical Research.
Competing interests: AV and her department receive royalties and payments for aquaporin 4 antibodies.
Patient consent: Obtained from the parents.
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