Clinical characteristic and imaging data of intractable hiccup and nausea in patients with neuromyelitis optica

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations and MRI features in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) leading to intractable hiccup and nausea (IHN). Methods We collected the data of 17 patients with NMO and analyzed the clinical profiles and MRI features in patients that also complicated with IHN. Results IHN was a common clinical manifestation in patients with NMO: of 17 with NMO, 8 were complicated with IHN (47.5%), having IHN and diplopia and nystagmus symptoms; 6 appeared MRI-detected linear medullary lesion (LML) and linear medullespinal lesion (LMSL) in the spinal cord. The cord lesions extended over three vertebral segments and centered on central canal of spinal cord; most cord lesions preferentially involved the posterior or lateral horn of spinal cord on axial T2. Conclusion NMO leading to IHN is clinically manifested by IHN, and diplopia, and a linear medullary or medullospinal lesion often appears in the spinal cord and medulla. The cord lesions are centered on the central canal of the spinal cord and mainly involve in the posterior or lateral horn of the spinal cord. All these manifestations and MRI features are the distinctive characteristics of NMO, which can be differentiated from multiple sclerosis. Key words: Intractable hiccup and nausea; Neuromyelitis optica; Medulla; Spinal cord; MRI