Area postrema syndrome: An unusual presentation of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

Abstract

Isolated area postrema syndrome (APS) is a rare neurological presentation of, neuromyelitis optica spectrums disorder (NMOSD), recognizable by uncontrollable hiccups, nausea, or vomiting. When it occurs as the first presentation of NMOSD, it may present as a diagnostic challenge as the condition may be frequently attributed to gastrointestinal pathology, and the subsequent diagnostic delay may result in debilitating neurological sequelae such as optic neuritis or myelitis. We report such a case of isolated APS in a young woman who presented with a clinical picture of bouts of vomiting and intractable hiccups causing considerable distress and was finally diagnosed to be a case of seronegative NMOSD.