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Published on: September 12, 2016
Comparative analysis of the therapy of acute transverse myelitis
Abstract:
Three methods of treatment of acute transverse myelitis are presented. The first group of 16 patients were treated with antibiotics (average age 32.1). Three patients died, 11 remained unrecovered, while in two cases remarkable improvement was recorded. The second group of 15 patients, whose average age was 32.4, were treated with corticosteroid per os or instrumuscularly. Four of the patients died (three of them with ascendent course of disease), there was no change in five cases, while marked improvement ("cured" and "walking with assistance") was recorded in the remaining six cases. The third group of ten patients, eight women two men, ranging from 15 to 47 years of age (average age 26.9) was treated with methylprednisolone acetate intrathecally. Five patients were practically cured after 3 to 4 weeks. Two patients were cured to an extent that they could walk with assistance. In two cases no improvement was recorded, while one of the patients, who in addition suffered from serum myelitis, died of bilateral bronchopneumonia. In all these cases the drug was administered comparatively late, on the 6th or 7th day ofthe disease.
Insights
Intrathecal methylprednisolone acetate showed promising results for acute transverse myelitis, with most patients experiencing significant recovery. Antibiotics and oral/intramuscular corticosteroids were less effective in this comparative study.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
Background:
- Acute transverse myelitis is a rare neurological disorder.
- Effective treatment strategies for acute transverse myelitis remain under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of three different treatment modalities for acute transverse myelitis.
- To evaluate outcomes of antibiotic therapy, systemic corticosteroids, and intrathecal methylprednisolone acetate.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of three patient groups treated with different methods.
- Group 1: 16 patients received antibiotics.
- Group 2: 15 patients received oral or intramuscular corticosteroids.
- Group 3: 10 patients received intrathecal methylprednisolone acetate.
Main Results:
- Antibiotic treatment resulted in poor outcomes, with only 2 of 16 patients showing improvement.
- Systemic corticosteroids led to marked improvement in 6 of 15 patients, but 4 died.
- Intrathecal methylprednisolone acetate showed the highest efficacy, with 7 of 10 patients achieving significant recovery or cure, despite late administration.
Conclusions:
- Intrathecal methylprednisolone acetate appears to be a more effective treatment for acute transverse myelitis compared to antibiotics or systemic corticosteroids.
- Early administration of intrathecal methylprednisolone acetate may further improve outcomes.
- Further research is warranted to optimize treatment protocols for acute transverse myelitis.
