Transverse myelitis
- Transverse myelopathy
Nature
Transverse myelitis (TM) is an acute spinal cord inflammation involving both sides of the spinal cord. TM symptoms develop rapidly over several hours to several weeks. Approximately 45% of patients worsen maximally within 24 hours. Most patients achieve partial or complete recovery within 1 to 3 months, after which time significant recovery is unlikely. TM is generally a monophasic illness (one-time occurrence); however, a small percentage of patients may suffer a recurrence, especially if there is a predisposing underlying illness.
Incidence
Transverse myelitis is uncommon but not rare, affecting both adults and children. Conservative estimates of incidence per year vary from 1 to 5 per million population.