title: Transverse Myelitis Associated with Anti-Ro (SSA) Autoantibodies: A Record of Two Cases.
abstract: Transverse myelitis (TM) is an inflammatory process involving a restricted area of the spinal cord. The usual dramatic presentation makes TM a medical emergency. Early detection and aggressive therapy are required in order to improve the prognosis. The association of this unique clinical phenotype and autoantibody provides circumstantial evidence that an autoimmune aetiology might be involved. We describe two cases of TM associated with anti-Ro (SSA) autoantibodies without connective tissue disease manifestations. The two patients were treated successfully with IV steroids and cyclophosphamide.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Section, Department of Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melikyan
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Abdelrahman
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Suoza
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Elzouki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hammoudeh