[Devic's neuromyelitis optica. Presentation of 2 new cases and review of the bibliography].

Devic's neuromyelitis optica is a clinical entity characterized by severe transverse myelitis, acute unilateral or bilateral optic neuropathy, no clinical involvement beyond the spinal cord or optic nerves and a monophasic or recurrent evolution. We report two cases, both female, affected by spinal cord and visual symptoms suggesting Devic's neuromyelitis. First patient, a 30 y.

[Potentially treatable subacute forms of infection due to the HTLV-1].

Introduction: Tropical spastic paraparesis due to HTLV-I virus is diagnosed at very advanced stages, when there is spinal atrophy present and so only symptomatic treatment can be given. Early diagnosis of HTLV-I infection in unusual syndromes and the use of corticosteroids may help to slow the development of the disease.

Clinical Cases: We describe two Brazilian patients who developed symptoms due to HTLV-I present for less than one year: subacute myelopathy with a sensory level and an ataxic pyramidal syndrome associated with axonal neuropathy, which partly improved after treatment with corticosteroids.