Transverse Myelitis

Can SARS-CoV-2 trigger new onset of autoimmune disease in adults? A case-based review

Introduction

Although it has been proposed that SARS-CoV-2 can cause autoimmunity by inducing a transient immunodeficiency of both innate and acquired immunity components in which the immune system fails to identify autoantigens adequately, the exact mechanism that causes this disease remains unknown. We aim to systematically review of existing case reports for evidence of new autoimmune diseases in adults caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

PRISMA-P 2020 method was used to search for literature in "PubMed" databases using the string "COVID-19 AND autoimmune disease AND complication". We used JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist to assess the articles' quality.

Results

The literature search yielded 666 articles. 58 articles met our eligibility criteria. Based on our critical appraisal, we placed 35 articles in the good category and 23 articles in the medium category. Data was synthesized by grouping similar data into a table, including: gender, age, COVID-19 severity, types of autoimmune diseases, autoimmune profile and relevant findings, when autoimmune diseases are diagnosed, complications, and outcome to draw conclusions. The new onset of autoimmune disease in adult triggered by SARS-CoV-2 included Guillain-Barré syndrome and Miller Fisher syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, immune thrombocytopenia, autoimmune haemolytic anemia, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, myositis, acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis, autoimmune encephalitis, central nervous system vasculitis, and autoimmune thyroid diseases.

Conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 can trigger new onset of a variety of autoimmune diseases. Doctors who take care patients infected by COVID-19 must be aware of the complications of autoimmune diseases. Future cohort or cross-sectional studies on SARS-CoV-2-related autoimmune disease should be conducted.

Non-invasive near-infrared spectroscopy assessment of the spinal neurovascular response in a patient with transverse myelitis: a case report

BACKGROUND

Transverse myelitis (TM) is characterized by acute development of motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunctions due to horizontally diffused inflammation in one or more segments of the spinal cord in the absence of a compressive lesion. The not well-known inflammation process induces demyelination resulting in neurological dysfunction.

CASE PRESENTATION

In this case report we used a functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) technique to evaluate changes in the peri-spinal vascular response induced by a peripheral median nerve electrical stimulation in a patient with chronic transverse myelitis (TM). fNIRS showed drastically reduced signal amplitude in the peri-spinal vascular response, compared to that obtained from a healthy control group throughout most of the C7-T1 and T10-L2 spinal cord segments.

CONCLUSION

The potential use of this relatively non-invasive fNIRS technology support the potential clinical application of this method for functional test of the spinal cord through the assessment of the spinal neurovascular response.

Viral Versus Vaccine-Associated Acute Transverse Myelitis With Neuromyelitis Optica Immunoglobulin G Antibody and Myelin Basic Protein: A Case Report

Transverse myelitis is a rare spinal cord disorder caused by local inflammation. Usually, this occurs as a complication from infection or autoimmune disease; however, there have been reported idiopathic causes such as vaccinations. A 73-year-old female with a medical history significant for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis presented with new-onset paresthesias in her lower extremities. Her symptom onset was about five weeks after receiving influenza and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (TDaP) vaccines. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine revealed an increased T2 signal of the lower cervical and thoracic spine. Lumbar puncture was also performed, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serology showed elevated myelin basic protein (MBP) at 108.3 ng/mL (reference range: 0-5.5 ng/mL). Serology panel revealed Coxsackie virus type B4 antibody at 1:80 (reference range: <1:10) and Echovirus type 6 antibody at 1:640 (reference range: <1:10). Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody was 24.6 U/mL (reference range: <2.9 U/mL). She was diagnosed with acute transverse myelitis (ATM) and treated with alternating steroids and plasma exchange (PLEX) therapy for five days each. This case highlights the possible associations of vaccines with transverse myelitis. Although ATM is a rare disorder with serious complications, it has a favorable prognosis in the setting of rapid detection and treatment. Vaccine-related ATM remains controversial, but patients with these adverse reactions need to be cautioned regarding potential recurrence risk.

The association between SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and transverse myelitis: A review

In late 2019, the emergence of a new viral strain, later referred to as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) took the shape of a global pandemic, affecting millions of lives and deteriorating economies around the globe. Vaccines were developed at an exceptional rate to combat the viral desolation, all of them being rolled out once they displayed sufficient safety and efficacy. However, assorted adverse events came into attention, one of them being Transverse Myelitis (TM), an infrequent, immune-mediated, focal disease of the spinal cord. This disorder can lead to severe neurological complications including autonomic, sensory, and motor deficits. The literature aims to shed light on TM and its various etiologies, specifically in line with the vaccine, and a comprehensive treatment plan. Discussing and reducing the number of vaccines related adverse events can help succor in bringing down the vaccine hesitancy and ultimately combatting the pandemic.

Radiation induced delayed transverse myelitis and neurological deficit at tertiary care center

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 includes 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 leukemia (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.

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Transverse myelitis can be a possible complication post-radiation for CML treatment.

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Careful history taking, meticulous physical examination, and investigations are necessary.

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Avoid delaying intervention once a diagnosis has been made to avoid neurological impairment.

Spinal cord stimulator for neuropathic pain in a patient with severe disability due to transverse myelitis

Transverse myelitis is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that disrupts nerve signals' conduction. The illness is characterised by weakness in the lower limbs accompanied by paresthesia and urinary and bowel incontinence. The most disabling sequel is the onset of chronic neuropathic pain, which can severely limit the patient's independence and negatively affect her quality of life. We present the case of a patient who received a spinal neurostimulator after a failure of conventional medical treatment. Masking pain through paresthesia, a mechanism provided by the device significantly reduces pain perception. The treatment success in our patient represents an advance in pain therapy.