Spinal cord inflammation

Description

Transverse myelitis or spinal cord inflammation is a neurological disorder caused by the severe inflammation of the spinal cord. This disease involves complete cross section of the spinal cord which prevents communication between the brain and body below the level of inflammation. Symptoms manifest only in the part of the body below the line of inflammation while in the upper part no symptoms are manifested. Symptoms refer to difficult walking and sensorial problems. This disorder appears both in children and adults and generally begins with fast development of the symptoms during several hours to weeks. It can follow a viral infection or be a result of the flare up of some autoimmune disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms can involve pain in lower part of the back, weakness in the legs or arms, weaken senses under the levevl of the inflammation, muscle cramps, bowel and/or bladder dysfunction.

Overview

Anamnesis will be taken and medical examination will be done. Test for identifying location of the inflammation of the spinal cord and isolation of the cause of disorder will be done.

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Additional analyses

Blood analysis on NMO-IgG, lumbar punction (taking of the cerebrospinal fluid from the spine).

Specialists

Neurology

Therapy

Therapy involves: intravenous cortiocosteroids, plasma replacement therapy, painkillers, physical therapy and/or occupational therapy. If the symptoms are severe, mechanical ventilation may be needed as a support to the lung function.