Intractable Nausea Due to the Area Postrema Syndrome of Neuromyelitis Optica: An Uncommon Cause of a Common Symptom.

BACKGROUND

Nausea and vomiting are common emergency department (ED) complaints. Neuromyelitis optica, a demyelinating disorder, has a predilection for the area postrema, the central nausea and vomiting center. Demyelinating lesions in this region cause intractable nausea and vomiting.

CASE REPORT: We present a case of area postrema syndrome due to neuromyelitis optica in a 34-year-old woman who was seen in several EDs before the appropriate diagnosis was made. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Nausea and vomiting are complaints that commonly bring people to the ED, thus, emergency physicians are likely to be the first to encounter and diagnose the area postrema syndrome.