Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-16T20:16:48.119Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Acute Transverse Myelitis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Sara G. Austin ,
Chi-Shing Zee  and
Cheryl Waters
Sara G. Austin
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Southern California – Los Angeles County Medical Center, Los Angeles
Chi-Shing Zee
Affiliation:
Department of Neuroradiology, University of Southern California – Los Angeles County Medical Center, Los Angeles
Cheryl Waters*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Southern California – Los Angeles County Medical Center, Los Angeles
*
Department of Neurology, 1510 San Pablo, #615, Los Angeles, CA U.S.A. 90033
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract:

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Eighteen adult patients presenting with acute transverse myelitis (ATM) were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. Only 7 had abnormal scans showing an area of increased signal intensity within the cord solely on T2 weighted images; Tl weighted images were normal. The MRI abnormality did not correlate with the cause of the transverse myelitis, the extent of maximum neurological deficit, or the prognosis. A scan performed more than 5 days after the onset of disease was most likely to be positive. Even though the prognostic value of MRI in ATM may be limited, it remains a valuable technique for ruling out other causes of noncompressive spinal cord lesions, such as hemmorhage, vascular malformation, or tumor.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 19 , Issue 4 , November 1992 , pp. 508 - 511
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1992

References

REFERENCES

1.Ropper, A, Poskanzer, D.The prognosis of acute and subacute transverse myelopathy based on early signs and symptoms. Ann Neurol 1978; 4: 51–59.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2.McCarthy, J, Amer, J.Postvaricella acute transverse myelitis: a case presentation and review of the literature. Pediatrics 1978; 62(2): 202–204.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3.Tucker, T, Dix, R.Cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus ascending myelitis in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Ann Neurol 1985; 18: 74–79.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4.Bell, E, Russell, S.Acute transverse myelopathy and echo-2 virus infection. Lancet Dec 1963; 1226–1227.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Grose, C, Feorino, P.Epstein-Barr virus and transverse myelitis. Lancet Apr 1973; 892.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Westenfelder, G, Akey, T.Acute transverse myelitis due to mycoplasma pneumoniae infection. Arch Neurol 1981; 38: 317–318.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7.Lowenstein, D, Mills, C.Acute syphilitic transverse myelitis: unusual presentation of meningovascular syphilis. Genitourin Med 1987; 63: 333–338.Google ScholarPubMed
8.Klastersky, J, Cappel, R, Snoeck, J.Ascending myelitis in association with herpes-simplex virus. N Engl J Med 1972; 287(4): 182–184.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9.Muder, R, Lumish, R.Myelopathy after herpes zoster. Arch Neurol 1983; 40: 445–446.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Herrick, M, Mills, P.Infarction of spinal cord. Arch Neurol 1971; 24: 228–241.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Case Records of the Massachusetts General Hospital (Case 26-1976). N Engl J Med 1976; 294(26): 1447–1454.Google Scholar
12.Ell, J, Uttley, D.Acute myelopathy in association with heroin addiction. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1981; 44: 448–450.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Label, L, Batts, D.Transverse myelitis caused by duck embryo rabies vaccine. Arch Neurol 1982; 39: 426–430.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Andrianakos, A, Duffy, J.Transverse myelopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus. Ann Int Med 1975; 83: 616–624.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15.Weiss, T, Nelson, J, Woolsey, R.Transverse myelitis in mixed connective tissue disease. Arthritis Rheum 1978; 21(8): 982–986.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Merine, D, Wang, H, Kumar, A.CT myelography and MR imaging of acute transverse myelitis. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1987; 11(4): 606–608.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
17.Barakos, J, Mark, A, et al. MR imaging of acute transverse myelitis and AIDS myelopathy. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1990; 14(1): 45–50.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18.Bitzan, M.Rubella myelitis and encephalitis in childhood: a report of two cases with magnetic resonance imaging. Neuropediatrics 1987; 18: 84–87.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19.Heller, H, Carnevale, N, Steigbigel, R.Varicella zoster virus transverse myelitis without cutaneous rash. Medicine 1990; 88: 550–551.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20.Poser, C.Magnetic resonance imaging in asymptomatic disseminated vasculomyelinopathy. J Neurol Sci 1989; 94: 69–77.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21.Boumpas, D, Patronas, N, Dalakas, M, et al. Acute transverse myelitis in systemic lupus erythematosus: magnetic resonance imaging and review of the literature. J Rheumatol 1990; 17: 89–92.Google ScholarPubMed
22.Sanders, K, Khandji, A, Mohr, J.Gadolinium – MRI in acute transverse myelopathy. Neurology 1990; 40: 1614–1616.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23.Tippett, D, Fishman, P, Panitch, H.Relapsing transverse myelitis. Neurology 1991; 41: 703–706.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24.Kenic, J, Krohn, K, Kelly, R, et al. Transverse myelitis and optic neuritis in systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report with magnetic resonance imaging findings. Arthritis Rheum 1987; 30(8): 947–950.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
25.Lipton, H, Teasdall, R.Acute transverse myelopathy in adults: a follow-up study. Arch Neurol 1973; 28: 252–257.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26.Miller, D, McDonald, W, Blumhardt, L, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging in isolated noncompressive spinal cord syndromes. Ann Neurol 1987; 22: 714–723.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed