NINDS Transverse Myelitis Information Page: NINDS

Article title: NINDS Transverse Myelitis Information Page: NINDS
Main condition: Transverse Myelitis
Conditions: Transverse Myelitis

What is Transverse Myelitis?
Transverse myelitis is a demyelinating (loss of the fatty tissue around the nerves) disorder of the spinal cord. It may occur alone or in combination with demyelination in other parts of the nervous system. Onset of the disorder is sudden. Symptoms may include low back pain, spinal cord dysfunction, muscle spasms, a general feeling of discomfort, headache, loss of appetite, and numbness or tingling in the legs. Transverse myelitis may be caused by viral infections, spinal cord injuries, immune reactions, or insufficient blood flow through the blood vessels in the spinal cord. It may also occur as a complication of such disorders as optic neuromyelitis, multiple sclerosis, smallpox, measles, or chickenpox.

Is there any treatment?
There is no specific treatment for transverse myelitis. Treatment for the disorder is symptomatic.

What is the prognosis?
Generally, prognosis for complete recovery from transverse myelitis is not good. Although recovery usually begins between 2 and 12 weeks after onset and may continue for up to 2 years, most individuals are left with considerable disability. Some individuals may have minor or no deficits, while others may have significant motor, sensory, and sphincter (bowel) deficits. Some individuals show no recovery at all.

What research is being done?
The NINDS supports research on demyelinating disorders such as transverse myelitis. The goals of these studies are to increase scientific understanding of these disorders and to find ways to prevent, treat, and cure them.

Selected references

Beers, MH, and Berkow, R (eds).
The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy 17th edition, Merck Research Laboratories, Whitehouse Station, NJ, p. 1483 (1999)

Kennedy, P, and Weir, A.
Rapid Recovery of Acute Transverse Myelitis Treated with Steroids Postgraduate Medical Journal, 64; 384-385 (1988)

Tippett, D, et al.
Relapsing Transverse Myelitis Neurology, 41; 703-706 (1991)

Thomas, M, and Thomas, J, Jr.
Acute transverse myelitis Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society, 149 (2); 75-77 (1997)

Organizations

Transverse Myelitis Association
1787 Sutter Parkway
Powell, OH 43065-8806
info@myelitis.org
http://www.myelitis.org/
Tel: 614-766-1806

Transverse Myelitis Fact Sheet
Transverse Myelitis fact sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.Provided by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

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