ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Transverse myelitis

What is Transverse myelitis?

21:55 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It is a neurological condition in which a spinal cord inflammatory process damages the myelin that covers the nerve cells, interrupting the signals that the spinal nerves send to the body, causing muscle weakness, pain, numbness, insensitivity, and loss of bowel and bladder control.

So far, the origin of this disease has not been identified, but it is known that bacterial, fungal, and viral infections are possible triggers.

Virus:

  • Hepatitis B.
  • HIV.
  • Herpes.

Bacterias:

  • Tuberculosis.
  • Syphilis.
  • Tetanus.
  • Lyme’s disease.
  • Pneumonia.

Signs and symptoms Transverse myelitis

Symptoms usually manifest only on one side of the body, including:

  • Pain in the limbs, back, chest, and stomach.
  • Stiffness.
  • Loss of balance.
  • Trouble walking.
  • Tingling.
  • Hypersensitivity to low and high temperatures.
  • Lack of strength in the limbs.
  • Paralysis.
  • Urinary incontinence.
  • Constipation.

See your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms or go to the ABC Medical Center Emergency Room if they are very intense.

Although many times transverse myelitis is only suffered once, the complications that could have been caused usually become chronic, such as:

  • Progressive pain.
  • Numbness and muscle spasms.
  • Lack of partial or total movement in the limbs.
  • Impotence in men and orgasmic inability in women.
  • Depressive episodes.
  • Anxiety.

Diagnosis and treatment Transverse myelitis

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and a nerve function test. They will also request a series of tests to verify the spinal cord degree of inflammation, in addition to confirming the presence of any underlying condition, including:

  • Blood test.
  • MRI.
  • Lumbar puncture.

Regarding treatment, its purpose is to control symptoms and prevent recurrence, which includes drug therapy with anti-inflammatories, antivirals, and painkillers, among other medications; in addition to physiotherapy, psychological, and occupational therapy.

At the Neurological Center, a select group of highly trained and certified doctors in the various neurological specialties are ready to assist you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Specialists

Nervous system specialties

  • Neurology
  • Neurosurgery
  • Spine surgery
  • Pediatric neurosurgery
  • Neurophysiology
  • Neuro-rehabilitation
  • Neuro-pathology
  • Interventional neuro-radiology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Neuro-oncology
  • Neuro-otology
  • Epilepsy
  • Neuro-ophthalmology
  • Neuroimaging

Fuentes:

  • clevelandclinic.org
  • topdoctors.es
  • mayocilinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • niddk.nih.gov
  • medigraphic.com
  • González-Galván LM, Arredondo-Ruiz P, Chac-Lezama G, et al. Mielitis transversa asociada con infección por virus de chikunguña. Med Int Mex. 2017;33(1):109-115.
  • González-Velázquez CH, Chacón-Hernández SS, Rodríguez-Marto C. Mielitis transversa traumática en un paciente con Hepatitis B: Reporte de caso. Rev Mex Neuroci. 2015;16(2):50-54.
  • Gil AR, Solis CU, Milera RJ, et al. Mielitis transversa como debut de un lupus eritematoso sistémico. Rev Cub de Reu. 2013;15(3):209-213.
  • Hernández ZMS, Vigil ZIA, Rubio HB, et al. Rehabilitación de pacientes con paraplejía por mielitis transversa atribuible a dengue. MediSan. 2012;16(11):1784-1790.

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.