title: Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis associated with dengue fever.
abstract: Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is usually associated with neuromyelitis optica and other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders but this is the first report linking it with dengue fever. Dengue infection can cause a variety of neurological complications which may result in poor recovery and long-term disability. The authors report here a patient who developed LETM in the para-infectious stage of dengue fever. The patient had a complicated clinical course resulting in severe paraparesis and urinary retention. Treatment with immunoglobulins and antiviral agents supported by a spell of early intensive rehabilitation programme produced excellent results in terms of recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. ashfaq.ahmed.larik@sgh.com.sg
authors.forename: Ashfaq
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Larik
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chiong
authors.forename: Lynn Chooi
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yee Sien
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003715:Dengue / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009188:Myelitis, Transverse / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D010406:Penicillins; D017963:Azithromycin; D000212:Acyclovir