We present fi ve cases of severe brainstem-spinal encephalomyelopathy suggestive of neuromyelitis
optica (NMO) spectrum disorders treated with or without intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The
result shows that early IVIG is probably effective in preserving neurological function in cases with
severe brainstem-spinal encephalomyelopathy suggestive of NMO spectrum disorders.