Priapism in infantile transverse myelitis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transverse myelitis is an autoimmune neurological disorder of the spinal cord that affects individuals of all age groups, including infants. OBJECTIVE: To report priapism as a unique clinical manifestation of infantile transverse myelitis. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Transverse Myelitis Center at Johns Hopkins, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. PATIENTS Three infants younger than 12 months. INTERVENTIONS: Intravenous corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Clinical outcomes in infants with priapism and transverse myelitis. RESULTS: All 3 infants demonstrated rapidly progressive quadriplegia that resulted in substantial disability and proved fatal for 1 infant. CONCLUSION: Priapism in infants with transverse myelitis may be an indication of severe inflammation and neural injury that necessitates immediate and aggressive treatment.