Transverse Myelitis

Transverse Myelitis is a neurological disorder caused by an inflammatory process of the gray and white matter of the spinal cord, and can cause axonal demyelination. The name is derived from Greek myelós referring to the “spinal cord”, and the suffix -itis, which denotes inflammation. Transverse implies that the inflammation is across the thickness of the spinal cord. Symptoms include weakness and numbness of the limbs as well as motor, sensory, and sphincter deficits. Severe back pain may occur in some patients at the onset of the disease. The symptoms and signs depend upon the level of the spinal cord involved and the extent of the involvement of the various long tracts. In some cases, there is almost total paralysis and sensory loss below the level of the lesion. In other cases, such loss is only partial. Prognosis for complete recovery is generally poor. For more information, please visit: transversemyelitis.ning.com

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