[Autoimmune diseases associated with transverse myelitis. Review].
Transverse myelitis (TM) is an inflammatory process involving restricted areas of the spinal cord. The usually dramatic presentation with rapidly progressive symptoms involving motor, sensory and autonomic functions makes acute TM a medical emergency. Acute TM has been cited as a rare and unusual complication of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS), but early diagnosis and aggressive treatment might improve the prognosis. This review of the literature (MEDLINE), showed that, within autoimmune diseases, acute transverse myelitis is mainly associated with SLE and SS. Previous studies seem to indicate that the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies might play a role in the etiology of TM. Although no uniform therapeutic protocol exists, and the prognosis is usually poor, early aggressive treatment (usually with EV pulses of methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide) might improve the prognosis.
Tristano
Antonio G
AG
Centro Médico Docente La Trinidad, Caracas, Venezuela. mjtristano@cantv.net
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008947:Mixed Connective Tissue Disease / Q000150:complications; D009188:Myelitis, Transverse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents