Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome | Overview
Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome | Programs and Services
How is opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome diagnosed?
To diagnose OMS, your doctor will review your child’s medical history and examine their nervous system. Your child may also need magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to create two- and three-dimensional images of their brain, as well as imaging to look for a neuroblastoma.
Your doctor may test the fluid around your child’s brain and spine (cerebrospinal fluid) for signs of inflammation.
How is opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome treated?
Your child’s doctor may recommend immunotherapy as treatment for opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome. Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that helps keep the body’s immune system from attacking the brain. Standard immunotherapy treatment for OMS is started soon after diagnosis and usually continues for at least one to two years. The goal of treatment is a decrease or disappearance (remission) of symptoms.
A combination of immunotherapies is typically prescribed and may include a high dose of corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), and rituximab for moderate to severe cases. Your doctor may recommend other immunotherapies for milder cases or if your child experiences a relapse.
If your child’s OMS is caused by a tumor, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove (resect) it. Tumors in young children usually do not require chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Your child may also need physical therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy to improve development and long-term prognosis.
How we care for opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome
The Pediatric Neuro-Immunology Program at Boston Children’s Hospital is dedicated to the comprehensive care of children and adolescents who have autoimmune disorders of the brain and spinal cord (neuro-immune disorders). Our program works in collaboration with oncology, psychiatry, neuropsychology, and physical, occupational, and speech therapy to provide comprehensive, individualized care for each patient.