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Acute Transverse Myelopathy in Children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Coleen Adams  and
Derek Armstrong
Coleen Adams*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto
Derek Armstrong
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto
*
The Children's Hospital, The Health Science Center, 840 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3A 1M4
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Abstract:

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Twenty-three children with acute transverse myelopathy (ATM) are reviewed. Antecedent minor trauma or exercise was reported in 10 patients. Despite a positive history in 7 patients no preceding infection was documented. Two patients had a history of less severe ATM followed by recovery prior to a second more severe episode. The most common initial symptom was back pain and the most prominent clinical signs were weakness, sensory level and sphincter disturbances. Myelography and CT myelography at presentation was performed to exclude a compressive lesion. Spinal cord enlargement was demonstrated in 6 of 21 cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord, performed in one patient, showed enlargement of the cord. Poor prognostic features were severity of weakness at the time of maximum deficit and a delayed onset of recovery. Maximum motor recovery occurred at a mean of 6½ months but did not occur in one patient until 1½ years. Normal or good outcome was obtained in 64%.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 17 , Issue 1 , February 1990 , pp. 40 - 45
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1990

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