emDocs - May 25, 2016 - Author: Bodford I - Edited by: Koyfman A and Alerhand S
"Pearls
- Neurologic symptoms include motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction. Sensory symptoms typically involve adermatomal level.
- Causes are broad including demyelinating conditions, infections, and autoimmune disorders.
- Rule out life-threatening disorders, including compression of the cord. Order MRI brain and spinal cord with and without contrast. A lumbar puncture must also be obtained.
- Remember your ABCs! Resuscitate the patient first and foremost.
- Mainstay of therapy is IV steroids +/- plasmapheresis. Get consultants involved early.
- Admit the patient for a full workup.
- Up to one third of transverse myelitis patients will have a recurrence, so if it is in the chart, always keep it on the differential."