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Induction of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Mice and Evaluation of the Disease-dependent Distribution of Immune Cells in Various Tissues
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Acute transverse myelitis: demyelinating, inflammatory, and infectious myelopathies

Timothy W West1, Christopher Hess, Bruce A C Cree

  • 1Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas, Nevada 89106, USA. westt3@ccf.org

Seminars in Neurology
|September 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Acute transverse myelitis is a rare neurological condition that can cause significant disability. This review outlines an approach to diagnosing its causes, focusing on clinical symptoms, imaging, and biomarkers.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is a rare neurological disorder with a significant potential for causing moderate to severe residual disability.
  • Historically, ATM referred only to idiopathic cases, but it now encompasses a broader clinical syndrome regardless of known etiology.
  • The incidence of ATM is estimated at up to 3 per 100,000 patient-years.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a systematic approach for diagnosing the underlying causes of acute transverse myelitis.
  • To highlight the importance of clinical presentation, neuroimaging, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis in the diagnostic workup.
  • To discuss the diverse range of potential etiologies, including autoimmune, inflammatory, and infectious diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria for acute transverse myelitis.
  • Emphasis on neuroimaging techniques to exclude compressive lesions.
  • Discussion of cerebrospinal fluid analysis for inflammatory markers.
  • Exploration of biomarkers aiding in etiological diagnosis.

Main Results:

  • Diagnosis of ATM requires ruling out compressive etiologies via neuroimaging and identifying inflammation in cerebrospinal fluid via lumbar puncture.
  • Etiological determination can be complex due to the association of ATM with various autoimmune, inflammatory, and infectious conditions.
  • Clinical symptoms, neuroimaging findings, and specific biomarkers are crucial for guiding the diagnostic process.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive diagnostic strategy is essential for managing acute transverse myelitis.
  • Identifying the specific cause of ATM is critical for appropriate treatment and prognosis.
  • Further research into diagnostic biomarkers may improve the accuracy and efficiency of etiological determination.

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