Transverse myelitis

1. Transverse myelitis is an inflammation of the spinal cord, which often targets insulating material covering nerve cell fibers (myelin).Transverse myelitis may result in injury across the spinal cord, affecting sensation below the injury.
                    Transverse: In anatomy, a horizontal plane passing through the standing body so that the transverse plane is parallel to the floor.
   
   For a more complete listing of terms used in medicine for spatial orientation, please see the entry to "Anatomic Orientation Terms".
Transverse myelitis (Latin: myelitis transversa) is a neurological condition in which the spinal cord is inflamed. This inflammation damages nerve fibers, and causes them to lose their myelin coating, thereby leading to decreased electrical conductivity in the nervous system. The disorder's name is derived from Greek myelós referring to the "spinal cord", and the suffix which denotes inflammation. Transverse implies that the inflammation is across the thickness of the spinal cord.
 Sign & Symptoms of Transverse myelitis
The spinal cord carries motor nerve fibers to the limbs and trunk and sensory fibers from the body back to the brain. Inflammation within the spinal cord interrupts these pathways and causes the common presenting symptoms. TM generally presents with rapidly progressing muscle weakness or paralysis, beginning with the legs and potentially moving to the arms with varying degrees of severity. The arms are involved in a minority of cases and this is dependent upon the level of spinal cord involvement. Sensation is diminished below the level of spinal cord involvement in the majority of individuals. Pain (ascertained as appreciation of pinprick by the neurologist) and temperature sensation are generally diminished and appreciation of vibration (as caused by a tuning fork) and joint position sense may also be decreased. Many report a tight banding or girdle-like sensation around the trunk and that area may be very sensitive to touch.
• Typical signs and symptoms include:Pain. Pain associated with transverse myelitis often begins suddenly in your neck or back, depending on the part of your spinal cord that's affected. Sharp, shooting sensations may also radiate down your legs or arms or around your abdomen.
• Abnormal sensations. Some people with transverse myelitis report sensations of numbness, tingling, coldness or burning. Some are especially sensitive to the light touch of clothing or to extreme heat or cold. You may feel as if something is tightly wrapping the skin of your chest, abdomen or legs.
• Weakness in your arms or legs. Some people with mild weakness notice that they're stumbling or dragging one foot or that their legs feel heavy as they move. Others may develop paralysis.
• Bladder and bowel problems. These problems may include an increased urinary urge, urinary incontinence, difficulty urinating and constipation.
Treatment: