Abstract

Introduction: Neuromyelitis (NMO) is a distinct entity from multiple sclerosis and effort must be made to differentiate both entities. International Panel on Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in May 2010, recommended that NMO and NMO-related disorders should be separated from typical multiple sclerosis because of different clinical course, prognosis, and underlying pathophysiology. In this communication, we present three cases to differentiate between NMO and multiple sclerosis to elucidate the diagnostic challenges in communities where facilities for investigations may be limited.
Case presentation: The first case is that of a 24-year-old female Nigerian with recurrent spasm of the body, sensory symptoms and progressive blurring of vision. The second case is that of a 33-year-old female Nigerian with recurrent blurring of vision, weakness and numbness on the left side of the body. Symptoms were worsened by hot water bath and taking hot drinks. The third case is that of a 31-year-old female Nigerian with progressive fatigue, right upper limb weakness, unsteady gait and blurring of vision.
Conclusion: Previous others have reported that multiple sclerosis is quite rare in sub-Saharan Africa with NMO a commoner finding. In the midst of limited resources and consequently inadequate investigations, are we actually misdiagnosing multiple sclerosis?”