Myelitis

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Overview

Myelitis is a disease involving swelling of the spinal cord, which disrupts central nervous system functions linking the brain and limbs.

Symptoms and signs

Symptoms vary by region of the CNS affected.

fever
headaches
tingling
Bladder dysfunction (loss of bladder control)
pain
Meningeal signs may develop
(central or peripheral paresis
Numbness; Altered sensation, Sensorimotor paralysis below the level of the inflammation (Absent tendon reflexes below the level of the inflammation), loss of feeling
Leg weakness
Arm weakness
Paresthesia
Back pain
Leg pain
Arm pain
Bowel dysfunction
Muscle spasms
Malaise
Anorexia
Leg paresthesia
Urinary retention
Sexual dysfunction
Fecal incontinence
Abdominal muscle paralysis

Diagnosis

Spinal MRI
Myelography

Differential Diagnosis of Causes of Myelitis

Infections

Certain viruses – causing viral myelitis:

Syphilis

Myelitis as a complication

Other conditions that might have Myelitis as a complication might be potential underlying conditions. The list of conditions listing Myelitis as a complication includes:

Gnathostoma Infection
Poxviridae disease

Myelitis as a symptom

Bing-Neel syndrome

Prognosis

Untreated myelitis may rapidly lead to a permanently damaged spinal cord.