Recurrent transverse myelitis. A report of two cases and review of the literature

Recurrent transverse myelitis is a rare inflammatory demyelinating disorder , which is distinguished from acute monophasic transverse myelitis and from MS. We present two patients with recurrent transverse myelitis, who develo ped an acute remitting tetraparesis and sensible deficits with a cervical l evel. They were followed for 4 and 5 years. MRI showed an isolated lesion w ith contrast enhancement in the spinal cord but no pathological cranial fin dings. Oligoclonal bands were negative in repeated lumbar punctures. One pa tient showed lymphocytic pleocytosis during the first and second attack. So matosensory and motor evoked potentials were abnormal during relapses while visually and brainstem acustically evoked potentials (VEP and BAEP) stayed within limits. Laboratory examinations for bacterial, viral or parasitic i nfections, antinuclear antibodies, Angiotensin-converting enzyme and the se dimentation rate were also normal. The differential diagnosis will be discussed in view of previously reported series. We give a review of the current literature and discuss the differe ntial diagnoses.