Case report: Acute transverse myelitis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) could be a pathogenetically heterogeneous inflammatory disorder affecting the spinal cord at one or more segments [1]. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 69-year-old man presented with complaints of weakness of the arms and legs since 3 weeks before hospital admission. On physical and neurological examination was found Tetraparese, lower motor neuron in the superior limb and upper motor neuron in the inferior limb, sensory disturbances at C6-C7 levels, and autonomic impairment retention of urine and bladder dysfunction. On magnetic resonance imaging examination of the whole spine vertebra, a diffuse process was found in the spinal cord along with the cervical 7 to Th12-L1. Differential diagnosis is with transverse myelitis, multiple sclerosis, and no picture of syringomyelia. The patient was treated with steroids. Acute transverse myelitis is an inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord with various causes. CONCLUSION: Clinical examination and investigations are very important to establish the diagnosis and determine the right management so that the expected outcome is obtained.