Multiple Sclerosis & Devic's Syndrome

Devic's syndrome is rare disorder that affects the central nervous system and causes the inflammation of the optic nerve - optic neuritis - causing eye pain and loss of vision. In the beginning stages of this disease the symptoms are very similar to that of multiple sclerosis; however, Devic's syndrome is a separate disease that requires an appropriate diagnosis in order to be treated properly as the treatment for Devic's disease varies from the form of treatment given for MS.

The primary difference between Devic's disease and multiple sclerosis is that Devic's disease affects the spinal chord and optic nerves but does not affect the brain - unlike MS which affects the brain as well. One of the primary symptoms of Devic's syndrome is the loss of vision that is often temporary but can become permanent affecting one or both eyes.

The Differences between Devic's Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis

While some medical experts believe that Devic's disease is a form of multiple sclerosis, others argue that the disease is completely different from MS. The symptoms of Devic's disease at its onset can appear to be the same as multiple sclerosis; however, diagnostic tests can definitively distinguish the difference between the two.

Multiple sclerosis differs from Devic's disease in that it affects the nerves of the brain and spinal chord whereas in Devic's syndrome the brain is not affected. An MRI in patients with multiple sclerosis will typically show inflammation in numerous areas of the brain and the MRI of patients with Devic's disease is typically normal, however, there have been some cases of patients with Devic's disease that have shown some inflammation within the brain.

The symptoms that occur with Devic's disease also tend to occur more frequently and be more severe than the symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis. The images taken during an MRI on patients with Devic's syndrome typically show large areas of the spinal chord that are inflamed, whereas the MRI images of the spinal chord in patients with multiple sclerosis tend to show significantly less areas of inflammation.

In patients who have MS, the antibodies within the spinal fluid are typically at elevated levels; however, in patients with Devic'e disease the spinal fluid does not show these abnormal levels in most patients.

Treatment of Devic's Syndrome

Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment to effectively treat Devic's disease and the prognosis is poor as it is typically fatal in many patients. The treatment primarily given in the beginning stages of this disease consists of steroids that are given intravenously or orally to help the symptoms or acute attacks that are characteristic of this disease.

Some patients may be given a plasma exchange which involves removing some of the patient's blood and returning it after removal of the fluid or plasma and adding a special replacement solution that is mixed in with the blood cells. This is form of treatment is effective in treating the acute attacks or symptoms of this disease in approximately forty percent of patients.