Longitudinal myelitis in systemic lupus erythematosus: a paediatric case

Rheumatol Int. 2012 Aug;32(8):2587-8. doi: 10.1007/s00296-011-2061-1. Epub 2011 Jul 27.

Abstract

Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is a very rare manifestation of the central nervous system in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), especially in case of involvement of continuous segments (longitudinal myelitis). We describe a 12-year-old female with lupus correlated with transverse myelitis with a longitudinal involvement of the spinal cord (D2 to D10) at the onset of the disease. Despite the administration of an early aggressive therapy, the outcome proved to be unfavourable. After 2 years of follow-up, the child still complains of paraplegia, sphincter incontinency and ipo-paresthesias of both legs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / diagnosis
  • Myelitis, Transverse / diagnosis
  • Myelitis, Transverse / drug therapy
  • Myelitis, Transverse / etiology*
  • Myelitis, Transverse / physiopathology
  • Paraplegia / etiology
  • Paresthesia / etiology
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Immunosuppressive Agents