Primary intramedullary spinal cord lymphoma misdiagnosed as longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Primary intramedullary spinal cord lymphoma (PISCL) is rare and easily misdiagnosed with the lack of typical clinical features and non-specific imaging manifestations. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of persistent limbs numbness, pinprick-like pain in the posterior neck and unsteady gaits. He has brisk tendon reflexes and positive Babinski's sign. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine showed an abnormal signal with aberrant reinforcement at medulla oblongata and the level of C1-C7. He was clinically diagnosed as longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (antibody-negative). Steroid pulse therapy was administered and resulted in reduced symptoms. One month later, his situation was exacerbated compared to the onset. We launched a new cascade of steroid pulse therapy. But it did not improve his symptoms. Finally, the biopsy pathology confirmed PISCL. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and zanubrutinib were administered and until now about 3 years into treatment the patient is still survival. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our case and literature review, we recommend that spinal onset patients react ineffectively to standard immunoglobulins or hormonal treatments or experience a relapse after a short time relief should take PISCL into consideration.

Fampridine in multiple sclerosis patients with acute phase of cervical transverse myelitis: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Fampridine is a potassium channel blocker drug used to improve walking ability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We evaluated the effect of fampridine in patients with MS in the acute phase of transverse myelitis. METHODS: In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 30 patients who had their first episode of cervical myelitis with quadriparesis presentation, with the final diagnosis of MS, were randomly divided into two equal groups. The intervention group received intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) for 7 days plus fampridine. The placebo group received IVMP for 7 days plus placebo. To compare the treatment results, we compared the Barthel index (BI) scores of the groups at the start of the trial and the 21st day after the start of treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the intervention and placebo groups in terms of mean age, sex, and mean admission BI (p > 0.05). Mean (SD) admission BI in placebo and intervention groups was 27.20 (7.341) and 27.87(5.78), respectively (p = 0.784). The measured mean (SD) BI after treatment was 48.73 (15.54) in the placebo and 64.93 (11.81) in the intervention group (p = 0.003) after 3 weeks. CONCLUSION: Using fampridine plus IVMP in the acute phase of transverse myelitis in MS patients improved the disease's symptoms and increased the daily activity ability of patients.

Early SARS-CoV-2-associated acute transverse myelitis: A case for neurotropism?

There are increasing reports of immune-mediated and para-infectious syndromes beyond the well-known respiratory manifestations of severe-acute-respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, the spectrum of severe neurological sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 remains undefined. We present the case of a 66-year-old female with rapidly progressive lower limb neurology 3 days post SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical and radiological findings were in keeping with transverse myelitis and treatment success was achieved with methylprednisolone and remdesivir. This report will discuss the associations between SARS-CoV-2 and acute transverse myelitis. We believe this is one of few described cases of early SARS-CoV-2-associated transverse myelitis secondary to neurotropism and the first successfully treated with the inclusion of remdesivir in the therapeutic regimen.

Acute transverse myelitis in an adult-patient with underlying ulcerative colitis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease that limits to colon mucosa, which characterised by relapsing and remitting abdominal pain and diarrhea. Neurological complications in UC patients are usually underestimated. The most frequently reported neurological disorders associated with UC are peripheral neuropathy, cerebrovascular disease and demyelinating disease. However, acute transverse myelitis (TM) is rarely reported in UC patients. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 39-year-old man presented with fatigue, muscle weakness, numbness in the lower limbs and fingers with underlying UC. Laboratory results revealed elevated neutrophil count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Strip-shaped high signal intensity was identified in the cervical and thoracic spinal cord on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Acute TM was diagnosed. Significant improvements after intravenous high-dose methylprednisolone were observed. CONCLUSION: We speculate that acute TM may be the extraintestinal manifestation of UC, which may be related to the abnormalities of cell-mediated and humoral immunity rather than the side effect of mesalazine.

Case Reports of Acute Transverse Myelitis Associated With mRNA Vaccine for COVID-19.

Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) has been reported as rare complication of vaccination. Herein, we report 2 cases of ATM after the administration of an mRNA vaccine for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The first one is an 81-year-old man who received the BNT162b2 vaccine. He presented with bilateral hand weakness. Spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed high signal intensity from the C1 to C3 vertebrae. The second is a 23-year-old woman who received the BNT162b2 vaccine and experienced tingling in her legs. Spine MRI showed a high signal intensity lesion at the conus medullaris. These patients were treated with intravenous methylprednisolone and their symptoms improved slightly. Careful follow-up is needed to identify adverse events after the administration of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19.

A case report of transverse myelitis in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus.

Acute or subacute transverse myelitis is a rare disease caused by inflammation of the spinal cord. The extensive differential diagnosis of this disease require physician to timely decide the necessary investigations and plan for effective treatment. We report a case of anomalous multifactorial transverse myelitis in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) who responded well with multimodal therapy. The patient was given immunosuppressive agent and plasma exchange for the demyelinating disease as well as antibiotics for neurosyphilis, antiviral for cytomegalovirus (CMV) neurologic disease, and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Three months after his first presentation, patient showed full neurology recovery and suppressed HIV viral load.

Extensive longitudinal myelitis due to cytomegalovirus infection.

Neurological cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections especially extensive longitudinal myelitis are extremely rare in immunocompetent adults. However, we hereby report a case of cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral myelitis caused by CMV infection in a healthy adult patient. The patient was treated properly and had a good outcome. The etiopathogenesis and the prognostic factors for this affection are not well established and are still being debated by authors. Further clinical data would contribute to a better understanding of this pathology in order to provide a better prognosis.

Covid-19 post-infectious acute transverse myelitis responsive to corticosteroid therapy: report of two clinical cases.

SARS-COV-2 infection has affected millions of individuals with a wide range of clinical manifestations, including central and peripheral nervous systems through several mechanisms. A rare but potentially severe manifestation of this virus is transverse myelitis. Herein, we report on two patients who developed paraparesis, sensory deficit, and autonomic changes on the tenth day after infection by COVID-19. A 27-year-old man, previously healthy, had symptoms of COVID-19 confirmed by oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swab tests. On the tenth day of symptoms, the patient started to experience acute paraparesis, urinary retention, constipation, and hypoesthesia up to the T4 level. The second patient is a 50-year-old man, previously healthy, who had symptoms of the flu-like syndrome. The diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was confirmed by oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal swab tests. On the tenth day of symptoms, the patient started to experience paraparesis, urinary incontinence, and hypoesthesia up to the T6 level. The neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis of both patients confirmed acute transverse myelitis after COVID-19 infection. High-dose corticosteroid therapy was started, and both patients showed rapid recovery from their deficits. Although rare, post-infectious transverse myelitis may be related to SARS-COV-2 infection and should be quickly recognized. Although controlled studies are needed, treatment with corticosteroid therapy in high doses was effective in these patients.

Transverse Myelitis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Clinical Features and Prognostic Factors in a Large Cohort of Latin American Patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is an infrequent but severe complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of study was to describe clinical features and prognostic factors of patients with SLE-related ATM. METHODS: In this medical records review study, data were collected from 60 patients from 16 centers seen between 1996 and 2017 who met diagnostic criteria for SLE and myelitis as defined by the American College of Rheumatology/Systemic International Collaborating Clinics and the Working Group of the Transverse Myelitis Consortium, respectively. Objective neurological impairment was measured with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) and European Database for Multiple Sclerosis Grade Scale (EGS). RESULTS: Among patients included, 95% (n = 57) were female, and the average age was 31.6 ± 9.6 years. Myelitis developed after diagnosis of SLE in 60% (n = 36). Symmetrical paraparesis with hypoesthesia, flaccidity, sphincter dysfunction, AIS = A/B, and EGS ≥ 8 was the most common presentation. Intravenous methylprednisolone was used in 95% (n = 57), and 78.3% (n = 47) received intravenous cyclophosphamide. Sensory/motor recovery at 6 months was observed in 75% (42 of 56), but only in 16.1% (9 of 56) was complete. Hypoglycorrhachia and EGS ≥ 7 in the nadir were associated with an unfavorable neurological outcome at 6 months (p < 0.05). A relapse rate during follow-up was observed in 30.4% (17 of 56). Hypoglycorrhachia and hypocomplementemia seem to be protective factors for relapse. Intravenous cyclophosphamide was associated with time delay to relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic lupus erythematosus-related ATM may occur at any time of SLE course, leading to significant disability despite treatment. Relapses are infrequent and intravenous cyclophosphamide seems to delay it. Hypoglycorrhachia, hypocomplementemia, and EGS at nadir are the most important prognostic factors.

[A Case of Detrusor Hyperactivity with Impaired Contractility (DHIC) after Transverse Myelitis].

A 44-year-old man was carried to the hospital in an ambulance because of dyspnea, paralysis and dysuria after signs of the flu. Acute encephalomyelitis was diagnosed by examination of magnetic resonance imaging. Antimicrobial treatment and respirator management was carried out with indwelling of urethral catheter for urinary retention. After improvement of encephalitis, the urethral catheter was removed. However, he still needed medical care because of persistent lower urinary tract symptoms. He complained of urge incontinence and urination frequency. Decrease of functional bladder capacity was noticed in a frequency volume chart. After consulting with our neurologist, acute transverse myelitis was diagnosed from imaging and neurological findings. Pressure flow study (PFS)demonstrated detrusor overactive during the filling phase and insufficient contractility during the voiding phase. We reached the diagnosis of detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractility (DHIC). We did not introduce clean intermittent catheterization but used the mirabegron instead. Although storage symptoms did not improve on the mirabegron monotherapy, the symptoms improved by solifenacin added. There is a possibility that combination therapy with mirabegron and solifenacin is effective for DHIC.

ACUTE TRANSVERSE MYELITIS AS A NEUROLOGICAL COMPLICATION OF COVID-19: A CASE REPORT.

We aim to report a COVID-19-related case of acute myelitis that has not been associated with any other viral infections. A 23-year-old student was admitted to the hospital within a month from the time of loss of smell and taste with features of acute-onset non-compressive myelitis with paresthesia on both sides from the Th9 level. Complex neurological, clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging examination was performed within 24 hours of admission. MRI of the spine showed a segment of increased T2 signal in the center of the spinal cord at Th11-Th12. Elevated protein level and lymphocytic pleocytosis were detected in the cerebrospinal fluid. A serologic blood test for SARS-CoV-2 showed recent infection. PCR for other viral infections was negative. The patient was treated with injectable steroids and showed full recovery. Specific neurological features of acute myelitis associated with COVID-19 were reported, described, and analyzed. Patient was treated and recovered.

[Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and myelitis associated with new coronavirus infection COVID-19. Case report].

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (AEM) and acute transverse myelitis (OPM) are autoimmune demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system. Two clinical observations of AEM and OPM developed after suffering acute coronavirus infection (SARS-CoV-2) are presented. Differential diagnosis was carried out with multiple sclerosis, encephalitis of an infectious nature, compressive myelopathy, and opticomyelitis. Both observations show an almost complete recovery of lost functions. The pathogenetic mechanisms of the development of AEM and OPM in patients with coronavirus infection are discussed. The onset of central nervous system dysimmune lesion in the context of coronavirus infection makes it necessary to monitor the clinical situation with the involvement of a neurologist for timely diagnosis and determination of therapeutic tactics that can reduce the degree of disability of patients.

Acute paraparesis in HIV-infected patient after initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Neurological syndromes occur in around 40-70% of HIV-infected people. Direct central nervous system involvement by the virus usually manifests as HIV encephalitis, HIV leucoencephalopathy, vacuolar leucoencephalopathy or vacuolar myelopathy. Indirect involvement is usually associated with neurotropic opportunistic infections which include tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, cryptococcosis and viral encephalitis such as herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, cytomegalovirus and Human polyomavirus 2. We report a case of transverse myelitis in a recently diagnosed HIV patient who was otherwise asymptomatic initially and developed paraparesis after 1 month of initiation of antiretroviral therapy. After ruling out opportunistic infections and other causes of compressive and non-compressive myelopathy, development of transverse myelitis was attributed to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in view of baseline low CD4 count and their improvement after HAART initiation. Prompt treatment with corticosteroids successfully reversed the symptoms.

Clinical features of transverse myelitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of systemic lupus erythematosus with transverse myelitis (SLE-TM) in a relatively large patient series. METHODS: This retrospective study considered 45 SLE-TM individuals treated as inpatients and outpatients at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 1993 and 2018. SLE-TM patients were compared with 180 controls, and SLE-TM patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) were compared to those without NMOSD. RESULTS: Compared to controls, the SLE-TM group frequently had a fever and had a significantly higher positive rate of anticardiolipin and lupus anticoagulant. Among the 45 patients, 22 met the NMOSD criteria. Compared to non-NMOSD patients, NMOSD patients had a lower incidence of rash (p = 0.023), serositis (p = 0.042) and renal disorder (p = 0.073); a lower prevalence of decreased complement (p = 0.083); and lower rates of positive anti-dsDNA (p = 0.074) and anti-Sm (p = 0.042). Among 22 SLE-TM patients with NMOSD, 18 underwent aquaporin 4 antibody testing, with 11 showing positive results. Out of the 45 patients, 39 were given methylprednisolone pulse treatment. After treatment, 32 patients had lower-limb muscle strength recovery (recovered group), whereas 13 had no change and persistent severe neurological deficits (non-recovered group). Compared to the recovered group, the non-recovered group were younger (p = 0.002), had a higher likelihood of having a fever (p = 0.020), initial severe myelitis (p < 0.001), long spinal segment involvement (p = 0.017) and higher C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.020). Methylprednisolone pulse given within two weeks of onset was more frequent in the recovered group than in the non-recovered group (p = 0.082). CONCLUSIONS: Disease characteristics differed between SLE-TM patients with and without NMOSD. SLE and NMOSD tended to be co-morbidities. Initial severe neurological impairment, extensive spinal cord lesions, hyper-inflammation and delayed steroid impulse treatment could be predictors of poor outcome for SLE-TM.

Disseminated Cryptococcosis revealed by transverse myelitis in Immunocompetent patient: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Transverse myelitis (TM) is due to inflammatory spinal cord injury with bilateral neurologic involvement, which is sensory, motor, or autonomic in nature. It may be associated with autoimmune disease, vaccination, intoxication and infections. The most common infection cause of TM is Coxsackie virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The cryptococcosis is rare. We present the case of disseminated cryptococcosis revealed by transverse myelitis in an immunocompetent 55-year-old male patient. The literature review is also stated. CASE PRESENTATION: The 55-year-old man suffered from gradual numbness, weakness in both lower limbs and finally paralyzed in the bed. The thoracic spine Computed tomography (CT) was normal, but multiple nodules in the lung were accidentally discovered. Thoracic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed diffused thoracic spinal cord thickening and extensively intramedullary T2 hyper intensity areas. Gadolinium contrast enhanced T1WI showed an intramedullary circle-enhanced nodule at 9th thoracic level. Diagnosis was made by histological examination of the bilateral lung biopsy. The patient was treated successfully with systemic amphotericin B liposome and fluconazole and intrathecal dexamethasone and amphotericin B liposome. CONCLUSIONS: This is a patient with disseminated cryptococcosis involving the lung, spinal cord and adrenal glands, which is rare in the absence of immunodeficiency.

High-dose corticosteroids for acute cytomegalovirus-associated transverse myelitis in the immunocompetent patient: a case report and systematic review.

We present an immunocompetent patient with transverse myelitis (TM) during acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, as evidenced by a reactive serum CMV IgM and CMV viremia. The patient had an excellent outcome after receiving only high-dose methylprednisolone. Given concerns that practitioners may have around the use of immunosuppressive therapy for this potentially infectious myelopathy, we systematically reviewed the literature to assess outcomes after administration of high-dose corticosteroids to this population. Despite severe disease at clinical nadir with inability to ambulate, immunocompetent patients with acute CMV-associated TM who received high-dose corticosteroids had good clinical outcomes 1 month to 1 year after presentation.

Demyelinating syndrome in systemic sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica.

BACKGROUND: This article reports a case diagnosis of a 44-year-old female who presented with intractable hiccups and vomit complicated with an acute onset of paraplegia. Transverse myelitis was evident on MRI and serological studies were consistent with Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) based on NMO-IgG sero-positivity. Further studies revealed positive ANA, anti-RNA polymerase III autoantibodies, and Scl-70, leading to a concurrent diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The coexistence of these two disease processes and their underlying clinical manifestations and therapeutic interventions are seldom reported in literature and are worth reporting. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was treated with high dose steroids, and subsequently developed malignant hypertension and acute renal failure, later identified on biopsy as steroids-induced scleroderma renal crisis. Although Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has often been associated with various collagen and autoimmune diseases, the coexistence of NMOSD and SSc presented a challenge where the patient underwent aggressive physical therapy and necessitated an intervention with Rituximab to achieve an appropriate clinical response. We have received a written consent forms from the participant in our study, and we have them on file in case they are requested. We have also received the patient's written consent for the data and images presented in this article. CONCLUSION: This article expands on NMOSD associated autoimmune diseases. Systemic Sclerosis is an insidious disease that is often diagnosed late as not all patients often report skin manifestation. The finding suggests that patients presenting with acute neurological manifestations get tested for NMO-IgG/AQP-4 antibodies and other immunological studies based on clinical findings.

Etiologic spectrum and prognosis in noncompressive acute transverse myelopathies: An experience of 80 patients at a tertiary care facility.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated the spectrum of acquired demyelinating and inflammatory disorders in patients presenting with an acute transverse myelopathy. We also studied differences between an acute idiopathic transverse myelitis and myelitis resulting from other etiologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty consecutive patients with acute transverse myelopathy were included. At inclusion, clinical profile, serum and cerebrospinal fluid parameters, brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging, and visual evoked potentials were obtained. All patients were given methylprednisolone therapy. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Outcome was assessed using modified Barthel index. A modified Barthel index score of ≤12 indicated a poor prognosis. RESULTS: Majority (n = 49; 61.25%) of patients had idiopathic acute transverse myelitis. Eleven cases had neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (8 had anti-aquaporin antibody positivity). Multiple sclerosis was diagnosed in 7 cases. Eight cases had infectious or parainfectious myelitis. Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis was noted in 66 (82.5%) patients. Seventeen patients had abnormalities in the brain. Majority of patients improved following methylprednisolone therapy. On univariate analysis, delay in administering methylprednisolone therapy, poor modified Barthel index at discharge, and extensive cord involvement were associated with severe residual disability. On multivariate analysis, delayed initiation of methylprednisolone was identified as a poor prognostic factor. CONCLUSION: A variety of inflammatory, infective, demyelinating, and autoimmune disorders present with acute transverse myelopathy. Early institution of methylprednisolone reduces the disability in these patients.