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Devic’s disease is a rare neurological disorder that damages the myelin sheath covering the optic nerve and spinal cord, causing symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis. It is incurable and degenerative, and diagnosis and treatment are overseen by a neurologist.
Devic’s disease, also known as Devic’s syndrome, is a rare neurological disorder characterized by damage to the myelin sheath that covers the optic nerve and spinal cord. It is similar to multiple sclerosis, except that with Devic’s disease there is no brain involvement and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain usually looks normal in Devic’s patients. Diagnosis and treatment of this condition are usually overseen by a neurologist, a doctor who specializes in treating the brain and spinal cord.
This condition can manifest itself in several ways. In some patients, the optic nerve and spinal cord are attacked simultaneously by the immune system, leading to a variety of symptoms experienced together. In others, the attacks are separate and patients have vision problems or spinal cord problems, but not both at the same time. The inflammatory flare-ups associated with Devic’s disease are much more severe than those associated with multiple sclerosis.
When the disease attacks the optic nerve, it causes neuromyelitis optica. The patient may lose vision in one or both eyes due to damage to the optic nerve and may experience other visual disturbances. Attacks on the spinal cord lead to transverse myelitis. This can cause paralysis, incontinence, numbness, weakness and other symptoms, depending on the area of the spinal cord involved. Either way, as the inflammation resolves, the patient will begin to feel better.
In monophasic Devic’s disease, a patient experiences a single inflammatory event, usually with a viral infection that precedes the flare-up. Patients with the relapsing form will experience more attacks of Devic’s disease. They can strike unpredictably after the first flare-up and can be of variable intensity.
When a patient reports symptoms of Devic’s disease to a doctor, diagnostic tests can be done to rule out multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions. A spinal tap can be done to test the cerebrospinal fluid around the spinal cord for signs of inflammation, while medical imaging can be used to explore the brain and optic nerve. There are drugs available to treat this disease and ongoing research aims to produce more effective treatments.
Devic’s disease is incurable and degenerative. With each attack, more of the myelin that protects the optic nerve and spinal cord will be damaged, creating long-term problems for the patient. During flare-ups, patients may have difficulty working and engaging in other activities due to pain and visual disturbances.
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