Abstract

MARTINEZ, Cecilia et al. Transverse Myelitis, Clinical Analysis and Case Review. Revista médica Risaralda [online]. 2018, vol.24, n.2, pp.139-142. ISSN 0122-0667.

Transverse myelitis is an acute or subacute inflammatory demyelinating disease that develops in the absence of previous neurological involvement and compromises the sensory and motor pathways in addition to the autonomous control of the spinal cord, the table is presented as a localized back pain, sudden paresthesia in lower limbs with loss of sensation and paraparesis which may progress to paraplegia commonly associated with bladder and bowel dysfunction; coordination and sensitivity of the upper limbs may also be compromised

The incidence of this disease is low, in the United States ranges from 14,000 new cases per year of which 33,000 remain with sequelae. It affects men, women and children of all races equally predominantly between 10-19 years and 30-39 years of age. Differential diagnoses include Guillain- Barré syndrome, compression by spinal cord tumors, vascular myelopathy, multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis óptica spectrum diseases amongst others. Diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion upon which an MRI should be requested urgently, the next step is to perform a lumbar puncture to study CSF white cell count, IgG and albumin. The treatment of transverse myelitis is aimed towards resolution of the inflammatory process in the spinal cord and avoiding neural deficit progression.

Keywords : inflammation; demyelination; transverse myelitis; diagnostic difference..

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