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. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.