Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Associated With Gray Matter Predominant Transverse Myelitis Mimicking Acute Flaccid Myelitis: A Presentation of Two Cases

Abstract

Background: Anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody associated disorders frequently manifest as optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. While their clinical phenotypes overlap with relapsing inflammatory Central nervous system (CNS) conditions such as multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, MOG-related syndromes frequently occur in a younger age group. In children, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is less specific for anti-aquaporin-4 associated neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, and has also been reported in pediatric multiple sclerosis, idiopathic transverse myelitis, and acute flaccid myelitis.

Methods: We summarize two patients with positive MOG antibodies and myelitis.

Results: We identified two individuals with anti-MOG associated LETM that demonstrate primarily gray matter involvement. Clinically these patients exhibited hyperreflexia and had rapid improvement with immunotherapies.

Conclusions: Anti-MOG diseases can cause LETM with gray matter predominance mimicking acute flaccid myelitis, but clinically these patients can have retained reflexes and respond favorably to immunotherapies.

Keywords: Autoimmune; Demyelinating; Myelitis; Pediatric.