Neurol. praxi. 2013;14(5):267-269

Transverse myelitis as the only manifestation of neuroborreliosis

MUDr. Alena Meleková¹, MUDr. Ján Latta¹, doc. MUDr. Edvard Ehler, CSc.¹, MUDr. František Sedláček², MUDr. Milan Mrklovský³

¹ Neurologická klinika PKN, a.s. Pardubice a FZS Univerzita Pardubice

² Infekční oddělení, PKN, a.s. Pardubice

³ Radiologické oddělení, PKN, a.s. Pardubice

The etiology of acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is in most cases parainfectious, less frequently is ATM caused by demyelinating disorders

such as multiple sclerosis. The origin can be also infectious, ischemic or idiopathic, but as the only manifestation of neuroborreliosis

it represents less than 5% of all cases. The authors present a case report of 62-year old woman, in whom a red exanthema appeared.

After 3 weeks she developed radicular pain in lower thoracic and lumbal region radiating along ribs. Subsequently sensory impairment

below the Th7 level, sphincter dysfunction and mild spastic paraparesis appeared. In cerebrospinal fluid changes typical for aseptic

meningitis were detected and the lyme disease antibodies IgG and IgM in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid were proved. Spinal MRI

showed T2 weighted hyperintense lesion at the Th6 level. After 3 weeks of intravenous treatment with ceftriaxon and corticosteroids the

clinical state significantly improved and within 4 months the patient fully recovered.

Keywords: neuroborreliosis, transverse myelitis, aseptic meningitis, MRI

Published: October 15, 2013  Show citation