Vadodara: She developed neck pain a few days ago and it soon spread to her upper back. Before her parents could understand anything, the 14-year-old girl from the city even lost her ability to walk.The girl was admitted to Bhailal Amin General Hospital (BAGH) in the city, where she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune spinal cord disease Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein (MOG) antibody-associated Longitudinally Extensive Transverse Myelitis (MOG-LETM). The disease had quickly spread in her body.The hospital officials said that this disease affects one to three persons in a million. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks myelin within the central nervous system, causing inflammation of the spinal cord, optic nerves or brain. If not recognised and treated promptly, it can result in severe neurological disability including permanent paralysis.Dr Ashish Susvirkar, senior neurologist and movement disorder specialist, who diagnosed the disease, initiated an advanced therapy that removes the disease-causing antibodies from the blood of the patient and reduces the immune attack on the spinal cord. BAGH officials said that the girl had complete paralysis in both her limbs when she was admitted to the hospital but now she is able to lift both her lower limbs.The girl will undergo physiotherapy and rehabilitation for the next few months. “Sudden severe neck or back pain followed by rapidly progressive weakness, numbness or bladder dysfunction should never be ignored. Early neurological evaluation and proper treatment can significantly improve the chances of recovery,” said Dr Susvirkar.
