Table 161.2.

Comparison of Findings Based on Etiology

Etiology	Findings	Prognosis
Multiple sclerosis	MRI: lesions small, localized in lateral or posterior cord, more cervical CSF: oligoclonal bands	Clinical outcome good but relapse in 47% at mean of 21 months
Systemic disease (SLE, Sjögren syndrome)	Severe motor and sphincter problems MRI in SLE: large and centromedullary lesions CSF: >30 cells	Clinical outcome poor
Spinal cord infarct	No clear diagnostic criteria acutely; >50 years old; severe motor and sphincter problems MRI: isolated centromedullary lesions CSF: absent or low cells, no oligoclonal bands	Outcome poor or fair in 91% of cases
Parainfectious myelopathy	Severe motor and sphincter problems MRI: large centromedullary lesions, cervicodorsal frequently CSF: >30 cells, no oligoclonal bands Serologic confirmation rarely obtained	Clinical outcome good
Delayed radiation myelopathy	History of irradiation; delay can exceed 10 years MRI: high-intensity cord signals with focal swelling, follow-up cord atrophy CSF: normal	Clinical outcome good in early (10–16 weeks after) radiation myelopathy, poor in delayed
Unknown etiology	Long-term follow-up produces diagnosis in 50% of cases

CSF, Cerebrospinal fluid; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; SLE, systemic lupus erythematosus.

From de Seze J, Lanctin C, Lebrun C, et al. Idiopathic acute transverse myelitis: application of the recent diagnostic criteria. Neurology. 2005;65:1950–1953.