Abstract
Acute transverse myelopathy (ATM) is a clinical definition of an acute neurologic condition that reflects impairment of spinal cord function. The term "myelopathy" has a different meaning from "myelitis", even if the words are often confused. Both terms indicate spinal cord involvement by some pathological event; but while myelopathy does not imply any etiological factor, myelitis refers to inflammatory diseases of the spinal cord. Acute spinal pathology can be associated with intra-axial or extra-axial lesions; extra-axial spinal pathology, however, has more often a chronic and progressive presentation. In this paper, we discuss primarily intra-axial lesions with attention on the role of neuroradiological investigations in diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for diagnosis; it shows signal abnormalities, usually T2 hyperintensity, focal or extensive, gadolinium enhancement and sometimes cord swelling. Despite its high sensitivity, about 40% of acute transverse myelopathies remain undemonstrated. Concerning etiology (multiple sclerosis (MS), vasculitis, infection, autoimmune disorders) no clearly different and specific patterns have been found; however small multiple enhancing lesions are more suggestive of MS (or lupus) while extensive, multilevel abnormalities reflect vasculitis as in antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Neurological Sciences |
| Volume | 22 |
| Issue number | SUPPL. 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2001 |
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Keywords
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Myelitis
- Myelopathy
- Spinal cord
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Neuroscience(all)
Cite this
Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of acute transverse myelopathy. The role of neuroradiological investigations and review of the literature. / Scotti, G.; Gerevini, S.
In: Neurological Sciences, Vol. 22, No. SUPPL. 2, 2001.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of acute transverse myelopathy. The role of neuroradiological investigations and review of the literature
AU - Scotti, G.
AU - Gerevini, S.
PY - 2001
Y1 - 2001
N2 - Acute transverse myelopathy (ATM) is a clinical definition of an acute neurologic condition that reflects impairment of spinal cord function. The term "myelopathy" has a different meaning from "myelitis", even if the words are often confused. Both terms indicate spinal cord involvement by some pathological event; but while myelopathy does not imply any etiological factor, myelitis refers to inflammatory diseases of the spinal cord. Acute spinal pathology can be associated with intra-axial or extra-axial lesions; extra-axial spinal pathology, however, has more often a chronic and progressive presentation. In this paper, we discuss primarily intra-axial lesions with attention on the role of neuroradiological investigations in diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for diagnosis; it shows signal abnormalities, usually T2 hyperintensity, focal or extensive, gadolinium enhancement and sometimes cord swelling. Despite its high sensitivity, about 40% of acute transverse myelopathies remain undemonstrated. Concerning etiology (multiple sclerosis (MS), vasculitis, infection, autoimmune disorders) no clearly different and specific patterns have been found; however small multiple enhancing lesions are more suggestive of MS (or lupus) while extensive, multilevel abnormalities reflect vasculitis as in antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
AB - Acute transverse myelopathy (ATM) is a clinical definition of an acute neurologic condition that reflects impairment of spinal cord function. The term "myelopathy" has a different meaning from "myelitis", even if the words are often confused. Both terms indicate spinal cord involvement by some pathological event; but while myelopathy does not imply any etiological factor, myelitis refers to inflammatory diseases of the spinal cord. Acute spinal pathology can be associated with intra-axial or extra-axial lesions; extra-axial spinal pathology, however, has more often a chronic and progressive presentation. In this paper, we discuss primarily intra-axial lesions with attention on the role of neuroradiological investigations in diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging is the modality of choice for diagnosis; it shows signal abnormalities, usually T2 hyperintensity, focal or extensive, gadolinium enhancement and sometimes cord swelling. Despite its high sensitivity, about 40% of acute transverse myelopathies remain undemonstrated. Concerning etiology (multiple sclerosis (MS), vasculitis, infection, autoimmune disorders) no clearly different and specific patterns have been found; however small multiple enhancing lesions are more suggestive of MS (or lupus) while extensive, multilevel abnormalities reflect vasculitis as in antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
KW - Magnetic resonance imaging
KW - Myelitis
KW - Myelopathy
KW - Spinal cord
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U2 - 10.1007/s100720100038
DO - 10.1007/s100720100038
M3 - Article
VL - 22
JO - Neurological Sciences
JF - Neurological Sciences
SN - 1590-1874
IS - SUPPL. 2
ER -