A 32-year old lady who developed a complex generalized movement disorder in all four limbs after plasma exchange for myelitis

Abstract

A 32-year old lady with AQP4-Antibody positive neuromyelitis optica developed a new-onset complex movement disorder after therapeutic plasma exchange, which was initially suspected to be hypocalcemic carpo-pedal spasm. However, when her bilateral, distal predominant, paroxysmal, stereotypic, wrist and finger flexor tonic contractions did not respond to serum calcium correction, other diagnoses were considered. The patient had a dramatic response to oral carbamazepine suggesting that the tonic spasms were likely a spinal movement disorder due to the primary demyelinating pathology.