Partial Transverse Myelitis

Dear Doctor:

I am a 30 year old male in otherwise good health.
I have been experiencing numbness in my right arm leg and right side of my trunk since June. The numbness has lessened considerably in the past weeks, although my right hand has always felt numb to some extent.  Recently I noticed that I get a wave of numb-tingling shooting from my hip to my right foot down my leg when I tilt my head foward.  My Neurologist ordered a Brain MRI and a C-spine MRI with contrast.The brain MRI was normal.

[CCF neuro MD MM]

The symptoms you describe certainly are consistent with a partial transverse myelitis in the neck area.
I suspect that the rest of your message including your questions was lost, so please feel free to complete the message as a follow-up to this reply and we will try to be of as much assistance as we can.

[Continued....]

Sorry, I accidently posted before I finished.


Brain MRI was normal.
The C- Spine MRI, however, revealed what the neuro characterized as a "Partial transverse Myelitis".  There was one relitively small lesion (he called it an area of inflammation)which was located exclusively in the white matter of my spinal cord.  He said it explained perfectly why I was having the symptoms, but he couldnt be sure what the underlying illnes. He suspected it might be a condition called "acute disteminated encephelo myelitis". Other remote possibilities included syphillis (syphilis) (extremely remote for me, I thought) and another blood disorder I couldnt rember.  He also said that I was at increased risk to develop MS, although he couldnt give me a percentage figure because there was only anectdotal data for persons who have similar conditions as to how many go on to develop MS. He felt that as there are no tests absolutley conferm MS nothig more should be done at this point except to monitor of course.

My questions are:

1.  Understanding you have only limited info are you nonethless inclinded to agree with the diagnosis? Are there any other possibilities not considered?

2. Do you have any available data on what percentage of persons with conditions similar to mine go on to develop MS?

3.  Does it make sense to consider getting interferon or other treatment now in case it turns out to be MS, as  sort of early treatment option?

4.  Will vigorous excercise increase my symptoms or slow any recover I might have from my existing symptoms?

Many thanks for your help and this wonderful service.

Ian