Dorsal medulla, area postrema, and other brainstem lesions in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
Sagittal T2-weighted FLAIR MRI shows a lesion in the dorsal medulla (A, arrow). Sagittal T2-weighted (B) and T1-weighted MRI with gadolinium (C) each demonstrate an acute lesion (arrows) associated with area postrema clinical syndrome. Axial T2-weighted FLAIR (D, arrows) and T1-weighted MRI with gadolinium (E, arrowheads) show dorsal medulla involvement in a patient with acute area postrema clinical syndrome. Axial T2-weighted FLAIR MRI shows periependymal lesions involving the pons (F, arrows) and dorsal midbrain (G, arrow). Sagittal T2-weighted FLAIR MRI shows increased signal surrounding the fourth ventricle (H, arrows).
From: Wingerchuk DM, Banwell B, Bennett JL, et al. International consensus diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Neurology 2015; 85:177. DOI:
10.1212/WNL.0000000000001729. Copyright © 2015 American Academy of Neurology. Reproduced with permission from Wolters Kluwer Health. Unauthorized reproduction of this material is prohibited.