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Simultaneous transverse myelitis and acute motor axonal neuropathy in an adult
  1. S Saidha1,
  2. R Renganathan1,
  3. J Spillane1,
  4. B McNamara2,
  5. N Fanning3,
  6. A M Ryan1
  1. 1
    Department of Neurology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
  2. 2
    Department of Neurophysiology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
  3. 3
    Department of Neuroradiology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
  1. Dr Ryan, Department of Neurology, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Rep of Ireland; aisling.ryan4{at}hse.ie
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.2008.148213

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    Transverse myelitis (TM), which is characterised by focal spinal-cord inflammation, may be idiopathic, parainfectious or disease associated. Diseases associated with TM include demyelinating conditions and connective tissue disorders. Apart from TM due to direct spinal-cord infection, TM is autoimmune.1 Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), a subtype of Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS), is characterised by peripheral motor axonal neuropathy, is autoimmune and usually post-infectious.

    To our knowledge, there are no adult reports of simultaneous TM and AMAN. We report a case of concomitant TM and AMAN in an adult and describe the response to immune modulation.

    Case report

    A 19-year-old male presented to the neurology services with a 2-day history of progressive bilateral lower limb weakness, urinary retention and a band of numbness around the waist extending into the feet. Two weeks previously, he had a diarrhoeal illness lasting 3 days.

    Muscle strength testing revealed weakness of right hip flexion (MRC grade 4), bilateral knee flexion (grade 3), …

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests: None declared.

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    2008 BMJ Publishing Group