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MRI findings in acute idiopathic transverse myelopathy in children

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Abstract

Objective

To describe the clinical and MRI findings in three children with acute idiopathic myelopathy (AIM).

Materials and methods

Retrospective review of the clinical presentation, MRI findings and outcome of three patients diagnosed with acute idiopathic transverse myelitis.

Results

Of note was the swift onset of symptoms in all patients, without any preceding illness or history of vaccination in two of the patients, and the rapid resolution of symptoms on steroid therapy in all the patients. MRI showed T2-weighted hyperintensity and patchy enhancement with gadolinium, but the extensive cord involvement did not correlate with the severity of presentation or outcome.

Conclusions

Our findings do not support that MRI evidence alone of diffuse myelopathy is a predictor of poor outcome in childhood AIM.

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Fig. 1a–d.
Fig. 2a–c.
Fig. 3a, b.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatric Radiology, Red Cross Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town and School of Child and Adolescent Health, Klipfontein Road, Cape Town, South Africa

    Savvas Andronikou, Glenda Albuquerque-Jonathan & Richard Hewlett

  2. Department of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross Children's Hospital, University of Cape Town and School of Child and Adolescent Health, Cape Town, South Africa

    Jo Wilmshurst

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  1. Savvas Andronikou
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  2. Glenda Albuquerque-Jonathan
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  3. Jo Wilmshurst
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  4. Richard Hewlett
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Correspondence to Savvas Andronikou.

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Andronikou, S., Albuquerque-Jonathan, G., Wilmshurst, J. et al. MRI findings in acute idiopathic transverse myelopathy in children. Pediatr Radiol 33, 624–629 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-003-1004-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-003-1004-8

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