Transverse Myelitis

(Slide 1: myelin on nerve cells)

Transverse Myelitis (TM) is a neurological disorder caused by an inflammatory process of the spinal cord. This inflammation is across both sides of one level, or segment, of the spinal cord. The term myelitis refers to the inflammation of the spinal cord. The term transverse describes the direction of the inflammation, that is, across the width of the spinal cord. The attacks of inflammation can damage or destroy myelin, the fatty insulation substance that covers the nerve cell fibers.

(Slide 2: MRI)

When this happens the damage causes nervous system scars (lesions) and those interrupt communications between the nerves in the spinal cord and the rest of the body.

(Slide 3: Who gets Transverse Myelitis? )

Transverse Myelitis is a rare disorder. It is estimated that about 1,400 new cases of TM are diagnosed each year in the United States, and approximately 33,000 Americans have some type of disability resulting from it. This is also an equal opportunity disorder. It can attack adults and children, male or female and in all races. There is no family predisposition but research has shown that there are peak incidence rates (number of new cases) in the ages between 10 and 19 years and 30 and 39 years.

(Slide 4: What are the symptoms of Transverse Myelitis?- Pic of spine)

The symptoms of Transverse Myelitis may either be acute- developing over hours to several days; or sub-acute- developing over 1 to 4 weeks. The symptoms and signs depend upon the level of spinal cord involved and the extent of the involvement. The initial symptoms of TM usually begin with a sudden onset of pain localized in the lower back or may be sharp, shooting sensations that radiate down the legs, arms or around the torso. This generally leads to muscle weakness or numbness of the limbs in the arms or legs. In some people this can be a mild weakness, their legs may feel heavy as they move or they may be stumble or drag one foot....