What is transverse myelitis?

4 May 2021

It is a neurological condition in which a spinal cord inflammatory process damages the myelin that covers the nerve cells, interrupting the signals that the spinal nerves send to the body, causing muscle weakness, pain, numbness, insensitivity, and loss of bowel and bladder control.

So far, the origin of this disease has not been identified, but it is known that bacterial, fungal, and viral infections are possible triggers.

Virus:

Hepatitis B.
HIV.
Herpes.

Bacterias:

Tuberculosis.
Syphilis.
Tetanus.
Lyme’s disease.
Pneumonia.

Signs and symptoms Transverse myelitis

Symptoms usually manifest only on one side of the body, including:

Pain in the limbs, back, chest, and stomach.
Stiffness.
Loss of balance.
Trouble walking.
Tingling.
Hypersensitivity to low and high temperatures.
Lack of strength in the limbs.
Paralysis.
Urinary incontinence.
Constipation.

See your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms or go to the Saludora Medical Center Emergency Room if they are very intense.

Although many times transverse myelitis is only suffered once, the complications that could have been caused usually become chronic, such as:

Progressive pain.
Numbness and muscle spasms.
Lack of partial or total movement in the limbs.
Impotence in men and orgasmic inability in women.
Depressive episodes.
Anxiety.

Diagnosis and treatment Transverse myelitis

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and a nerve function test. They will also request a series of tests to verify the spinal cord degree of inflammation, in addition to confirming the presence of any underlying condition, including:

Blood test.
MRI.
Lumbar puncture.

Regarding treatment, its purpose is to control symptoms and prevent recurrence, which includes drug therapy with anti-inflammatories, antivirals, and painkillers, among other medications; in addition to physiotherapy, psychological, and occupational therapy.

At the Neurological Center, a select group of highly trained and certified doctors in the various neurological specialties are ready to assist you with the quality and warmth that characterizes us.

Specialists Transverse myelitis

Nervous system specialties

Neurology
Neurosurgery
Spine surgery
Pediatric neurosurgery
Neurophysiology
Neuro-rehabilitation
Neuro-pathology
Interventional neuro-radiology
Neuropsychology
Neuro-oncology
Neuro-otology
Epilepsy
Neuro-ophthalmology
Neuroimaging

Related centers and departments Transverse myelitis

Neurology Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

clevelandclinic.org
topdoctors.es
mayocilinic.org
medlineplus.gov
niddk.nih.gov
medigraphic.com
González-Galván LM, Arredondo-Ruiz P, Chac-Lezama G, et al. Mielitis transversa asociada con infección por virus de chikunguña. Med Int Mex. 2017;33(1):109-115.
González-Velázquez CH, Chacón-Hernández SS, Rodríguez-Marto C. Mielitis transversa traumática en un paciente con Hepatitis B: Reporte de caso. Rev Mex Neuroci. 2015;16(2):50-54.
Gil AR, Solis CU, Milera RJ, et al. Mielitis transversa como debut de un lupus eritematoso sistémico. Rev Cub de Reu. 2013;15(3):209-213.
Hernández ZMS, Vigil ZIA, Rubio HB, et al. Rehabilitación de pacientes con paraplejía por mielitis transversa atribuible a dengue. MediSan. 2012;16(11):1784-1790.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the Saludora Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is transverse myelitis?

Signs and symptoms Transverse myelitis

Diagnosis and treatment Transverse myelitis

Specialists Transverse myelitis

Related centers and departments Transverse myelitis

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Transverse myelitis