Severe orthostatic hypotension associated with lesions of the area postraema in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

Abstract

Hiccups, nausea and vomiting are known as the clinical manifestations of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) linked to lesions of the area postraema in the medullary tegmentum. Here, we describe a 74-year-old male patient with NMOSD who presented with recurrent syncope due to severe orthostatic hypotension (OH) following symptoms of hiccups, nausea and vomiting. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed the lesion of the area postraema and it could be responsible for the symptom of OH. Considering the numerous related reports, we suspect that the prevalence of OH is underreported in the patients with NMOSD. OH may transition into more serious conditions, so it should be evaluated carefully in all patients with NMOSD, particularly when there is a lesion of the area postraema.

Keywords

• Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Area postraema
• Dorsal medulla