Abstract
Aim Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis followed by optic neuritis (ADEM-ON), first
described in 2013, is a rare demyelinating syndrome, typical of the pediatric age.
We conducted a mini review of the existing literature, focusing on clinical, laboratory,
radiological, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects in order to improve the identification
of new cases.
Methods We searched PubMed and Cochrane Library for studies on ADEM-ON between 2013 and 2018.
Results Examination of the reported cases (three case reports and eight observational studies) established
the following features. Time between ADEM and ON is highly variable. Almost all patients
show antimyelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody (MOG-abs) seropositivity. High-dose
intravenous steroid and plasmapheresis efficacy is reported for the acute phase; oral
prednisone and other maintenance drugs may be useful in avoiding relapses. The clinical
history may lead to a complete recovery but also to residual deficits.
Conclusion MOG-abs detection strongly supports ADEM-ON diagnosis, confirming this entity as
part of MOG-abs spectrum disorder. Owing to the very small number of cases so far
reported, predicting clinical evolution is very difficult.
Keywords
acute disseminated encephalomyelitis - optic neuritis - antimyelin oligodendrocyte
glycoprotein antibodies - pediatric demyelinating syndromes
