J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Feb;32(2):201-207.

MR Findings of Transverse Myelitis and Its Clinical Correlation

• Kim JS
• Han MH
• Choi CG
• Na DG
• Chang KH
• Kim JH

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to correlate the MR findings with clinical stage and clinical outcome, and to describe the evolutional changes of abnormal MR findings of transverse myelitis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Medical records and spinal MR images of 23 patients with both clinical and radiological diagnosis of transverse myelitis were retrospectively reviewed. MR findings were correlated with clinical stages including interval between MR imaging and full development of clinical symptoms, and compared with the clinical outcome.
RESULTS
Diffuse high signal intensity of the spinal cord on T2-weighted image with mild cord bulging (67%) and focal contrast enhancement of the cord (75%) were observed within the first four weeks after full development of clinical symptoms. The findings decreased in extent or vanished later than four weeks on either initial or follow-up MR images. Most patients with either cord atrophy or focal hemorrhagewithin the cord lesion had poor clinical outcome.
CONCLUSION
The MR findings of transverse myelitis are nonspecific, which may be seen in a variety of diseases. Serial MRIs, especially follow up examination over at least one month after full development of clinical symptoms are useful in the diagnosis of transverse myelitis and predicting its prognosis.

MeSH Terms

Atrophy
Diagnosis
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical Records
Myelitis, Transverse*
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Cord