Radiation induced delayed transverse myelitis and neurological deficit at tertiary care center
Date
2021-09-20
Authors
Abuzneid, Yousef S.
Al-Janazreh, Hamdi
Haif, Motasem
Idais, Shahd T.
Asakrah, Baraa
Ajwa, Sufana M.
Sarahneh, Shifa
Abdeen, Hani
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
Background: Transverse myelitis is a rare spinal cord inflammation with absence of a compression. It varies in
presentation based on the pathology location, and mainly causes a combined deficit of motor, sensory, and
autonomic functions. History, physical examination, and other diagnostic tests including blood tests and an MRI
are important tools to establish a diagnosis.
A thorough neurological evaluation helps localize the affected region of the spinal cord. The management in-
cludes rehabilitation as any other spinal cord injury. If very severe, a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program
will be required.
Presentation: We explain a case in which a 43-year-old male patient, known to have chronic myelogenous leu-
kemia (CML), on Imatinib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor), started complaining of back pain at the level of the 10th
rib. Different tests were made including a PET-CT (Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography)
which showed hypermetabolic bony lytic lesion in the left mandible at the level of temporomandibular joint,
destruction of the 10th rib, and no evidence of spinal cord compression. Other etiologies were excluded, making
transverse myelitis due to radiation for the patient’s CML on top of the differential diagnosis.
Conclusion: A thorough physical examination and diagnostic tests are important tools to exclude other etiologies
of complex neurological deficit in a patient with CML.
Description
Keywords
CML , TBI , Transverse myelitis , Rare , Case report