Resumen

BENITEZ PEREZ, María Victoria; BARUJA NUNEZ, José Carlos  y  RUIZ DIAZ ROS, Leda Lis. Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis in a young female patient: clinical presentation and response to initial treatment. Rev. virtual Soc. Parag. Med. Int. [online]. 2026, vol.13, n.1, e13142611.  Epub 07-Mar-2026. ISSN 2312-3893.  https://doi.org/10.18004/rvspmi/2312-3893/2026.e13142611.

Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is an inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord that affects three or more contiguous vertebral segments. It can be caused by autoimmune, infectious, or post-infectious factors, and its diagnosis is mainly based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The clinical presentation usually includes motor weakness, sensory disturbances, and autonomic dysfunction.

We present the case of a previously healthy 33-year-old woman who consulted for progressive weakness in all four limbs, which began with paresthesias in her hands and a burning sensation in her neck. She rapidly progressed to quadriparesis with sensory disturbances and bladder dysfunction. MRI revealed a hyperintense intramedullary spinal cord lesion, extending longitudinally from C2 to T4-T5, consistent with LETM. Neuroconduction and electromyography studies were normal, supporting a central origin of the motor deficit. Treatment with intravenous corticosteroids was initiated, with partial clinical improvement and progressive recovery.

Palabras clave : transverse myelitis; CNS demyelinating autoimmune diseases; aquaporin 4; disease associated with antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein; corticosteroids.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )