Evaluation of 17 Patients With Transverse Myelitis in Terms of Clinical, Treatment and Prognosis

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to identify the clinical findings, treatment modalities and factors affecting the prognosis of patients who were followed up and treated with the diagnosis of transverse myelitis. Methods: A total of 17 patients diagnosed and treated with the diagnosis of acute transverse myelitis between 2006 and 2016 were evaluated in Child Health and Diseases Services. Results: Nine (52.9%) patients were boys, 8 (47.1%) were girls and the mean age was 9.24 +/- 4.16 years. The complaints of the cases observed at admission were weakness in16 (94.1%) and numbness in the feet in 1 (5.9%) patient Twelve (70.6%) patients had a history of infection. Upper respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal system infections were found in 7 (58.3%) and 5 (41.7%) cases,respectively. Gender, history of infection, type of infection, cranial nerve involvement, presence of autonomic symptoms, and treatment modality were not effective factors on prognosis. The duration of hospitalisation in intensive care unit (ICU) was 4.47 +/- 6.79 days and the total length of hospital stay was 17.59 +/- 12.01 days. It was seen that the need for respiratory support increased the total length of stay in intensive care unit and hospital. Conclusion: Prognosis is generally good in childhood with acute transverse myelitis cases. We have not found an effective factor on prognosis in our study. There is a need for extensive research to determine prognostic factors.