The Transverse Myelitis Association Helps to Fund Clinical Care and Research at the Johns Hopkins TM Center: Julius Birnbaum, MD

When Mrs. K, a 19 year-old woman from Africa, came to The Johns Hopkins Transverse Myelitis Center (JHTMC)  to see Dr. Julius Birnbaum she had only one wish: to see and hold her newborn baby. Mrs. K had been in her normal state of health until half-way through her pregnancy when she lost her vision and all upper arm mobility. With only a cursory investigation, Mrs. K was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and treated with interferon therapy; but Mrs. K got worse.  Upon seeing Dr. Birnbaum months later, a new diagnosis was formulated based on a more thorough examination.  Mrs. K had Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)/Devic’s syndrome, an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that attacks the optic nerves and spinal cord. Within a week of the appropriate treatment (plasma exchange followed by immunosuppression treatment), Mrs. K regained her arm mobility and 20/20 vision—an incredible recovery.

Often faced with challenges cases, Dr. Birnbaum has established a clinic in conjunction with the JHTMC and Dr. Douglas Kerr devoted towards the care and investigation of patients with neurological complications of rheumatic disease.  No other clinic in the country is exclusively dedicated towards managing patients with neurologic disease occurring secondary to rheumatic disease.  Such rheumatic syndromes include lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and vasculitis.  Dr. Birnbaum’s research focuses on the diagnostic and clinical criteria used to differentiate between rheumatic disease and MS.  This distinction is critical to the proper treatment plan, as seen with Mrs. K. The MS treatment exacerbated her symptoms while the proper diagnosis and treatment plan restored her vision and arm function.  Thanks to Dr. Birnbaum, Mrs. K was afforded the bonding with her child she so desired.

We are very pleased to announce that The Transverse Myelitis Association will be helping to fund Dr. Birnbaum’s position at Johns Hopkins.  The clinical care provided by Dr. Birnbaum and his research offers a very significant contribution to our community.  We are grateful for his interest in the neuroimmunologic and rheumatologic disciplines and for the wonderful care he provides to patients.

Dr. Birnbaum is a regular contributor to the TMA newsletters and Journals, and enjoys receiving questions from patients with NMO or TM and the rheumatic diseases.