Devic's syndrome-like phenotype associated with thymoma and anti-CV2/CRMP5 antibodies

Abstract

A 45-year-old woman with a history of Hashimoto thyroiditis presented with a 4-month history of asthenia and a weight loss of 10 kg. A computed tomography of the chest showed an anterior mediastinal mass suspicious for a thymoma. The mediastinal mass was completely removed by surgery. Histological examination showed a B2-type thymoma with pleural, pericardial and left phrenic local extension. There was no evidence of mediastinal adenopathy or metastasis on computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis. Treatment with radiation therapy was planned, but 1 month later the patient developed difficulties in walking for over 2 weeks, paraesthesia of the four limbs and bladder dysfunction.