Sjogren's Syndrome Presenting as Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis. A case report

Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms dry eyes and a dry mouth. The condition often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare relapsing auto-immune disease of the central nervous system which is sometimes found in association with other autoimmune disorders including Sjogrenâ??s syndrome. Sjogren's syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because the signs and symptoms vary from person to person and can be similar to those caused by other diseases. Side effects of a number of medications also mimic some signs and symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome.Tests can help rule out other conditions and help pinpoint a diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. We present the case of a middle aged female with Sjogrenâ??s syndrome (SS) and Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) who had a rapidly declining neurological illness that responded to immunosuppressive therapy. Sjögren's syndrome (SjS, SS) is a long-term autoimmune disease that affects the body's moisture-producing (lacrimal and salivary) glands, and often seriously affects other organs systems, such as the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. Primary symptoms are dryness (dry mouth and dry eyes), pain and fatigue. Other symptoms can include dry skin, vaginal dryness, a chronic cough, numbness in the arms and legs, feeling tired, muscle and joint pains, and thyroid problems. Skin dryness in some people with SS may be the result of lymphocytic infiltration into skin glands.

Author(s): S Bashir Ahmad

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