brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Acute Transverse Myelitis
Diagnosis of Acute Transverse Myelitis
Magnetic resonance imaging A spinal tap Other tests to look for causes Symptoms suggest the diagnosis of acute transverse myelitis. But doctors must distinguish acute transverse myelitis from other disorders that cause similar symptoms, such as Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) , Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spinal cord is done first. MRI helps eliminate other, treatable possible causes of the symptoms, such as spinal cord compression. If myelitis is severe, MRI typically shows swelling of the spinal cord due to inflammation. A Spinal Tap (lumbar puncture) is done to obtain a sample of cerebrospinal cord fluid. If acute transverse myelitis is present, the number of certain white blood cells and the protein level in the cerebrospinal fluid are increased. Tests, such as a chest x-ray and blood tests, are also done to look for causes. Doctors also ask people about use of medications and recreational drugs that can cause acute transverse myelitis. 