Acute transverse myelitis

Clinical:

  • A 6-year old boy presented
  • Previously well and healthy
  • Presented with fever, lethargy and poor oral intake for few days.
  • Examination showed bilateral lower limb weakness and hypotonia.

MRI findings:

  • MRI spine (A) T1WI, (B) T2WI and (C) T1 post contrast
  • The MRI hows a long segment T2/STIR-hyperintense signal within the cords from C1 to C7, which was associated with cord expansion.
  • Patchy involvement of the lower cord is also seen.
  • The lesion involved more than two-third cross sectional area of the cord.
  • The lesion does not enhanced on post contrast image.
  • The vertebral bodies are normal.

Diagnosis: Acute transverse myelitis.

Discussion:

  • Acute transverse myelitis is an inflammatory condition affecting both halves of the spinal cord and associated with rapid progressive motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunction.
  • The incidence of acute transverse myelitis is 1-4 new cases per million people per year.
  • It affects individuals of all ages with peaks at ages 10-19 years and 30-39 years.
  • There is no sex or familial predisposition and usually there is no prior history of neurologic abnormalilty.
  • Up to 40% of acute transverse myelitis may have normal MRI.
  • In the remainder, MRI usually showed a long segment of T2 increased signal intensity. Commonly three to four segments were involved. On cross sectional image, the lesion is seen centrally located occupying more than two-thirds of the cross sectional area of the cord.
  • The enhancement pattern is variable include no enhancement, diffuse, patchy or peripheral enhancement.
Author: radhianahassan