Look what I found. Not sure what all of the medical terms mean as I didn't
look them all up yet, but I sure hope it helps some of you who have not yet
had a DX. Bring it in to your neuros after you look up the medical
terminology. I'll also send over the link where I found this info in the next
mail. There is tons of info here.
Maria :)
Title
Idiopathic transverse myelitis: MR characteristics [see comments]
Author
Choi KH; Lee KS; Chung SO; Park JM; Kim YJ; Kim HS; Shinn KS
Address
Department of Radiology, Kangman St Mary's Hospital, Catholic University
Medical College, Seocho-Ku, Seoul, Korea.
Source
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 17(6):1151-60 1996 Jun-Jul
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe the MR characteristics that can distinguish idiopathic
transverse myelitis from other intramedullary lesions. METHODS: A total of 32
initial and follow-up MR studies in 17 patients with clinically proved
transverse myelitis were reviewed retrospectively. The location, size,
pattern, and segmental length of areas of hyperintensity were estimated on
T2-weighted axial and sagittal images. In 15 of the patients, whose neurologic
abnormalities were limited to the spinal cord, the location and pattern of
intramedullary contrast enhancement were evaluated on sagittal and axial
T1-weighted images. Follow-up MR studies were available for 10 patients. The
statistical significance of cord enhancement between the groups with and
without cord expansion was calculated. RESULTS: Common MR findings of
idiopathic transverse myelitis included a centrally located hyperintensity
occupying more than two thirds of the cross-sectional area of the cord (88%);
a length of 3 to 4 vertebral segments (53%), with variable presence of cord
expansion (47%); a small central area of intensity, isointense with normal
cord, in the core of hyperintensity (47%); focal, peripheral cord enhancement
(53%), particularly in patients with cord expansion; and a slow regression of
T2 hyperintensity with an enhancing nodule. Although no linear correspondence
was observed between MR findings and neurologic signs and symptoms, all but 4
patients improved clinically as MR findings improved or remained stable.
CONCLUSIONS: MR findings are helpful in detecting transverse myelitis and in
differentiating this entity from multiple sclerosis and cord tumors, but
clinical assessment and observation of MR changes over time are essential in
making the diagnosis.
Language
Eng
Unique Identifier
96384016
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MESH Headings
Adult ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drug Combinations ; DTPA
AA/DU ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Human ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging * ;
Male ; Meglumine DU ; Middle Age ; Myelitis, Transverse *DI/ET ; Neurologic
Examination ; Organometallic Compounds DU ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal
Cord PA ; Spinal Cord Compression DI/ET
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Publication Type
JOURNAL ARTICLE
ISSN
0195-6108
Country of Publication
UNITED STATES