RAPID RECOVERY FROM TRANSVERSE MYELOPATHY IN CHILDREN TREATED WITH METHYLPREDNISOLONE

Acute transverse myelopathy is an uncommon disease that manifests with gradually developing weakness of the lower extremities associated wit h bladder or bowel dysfunction, sensory deficits, and pain localized i n the back, legs, or abdomen. There are controversies in the literatur e regarding the role of steroids in the treatment of acute transverse myelopathy, Recently, a pilot open study of five children with acute t ransverse myelopathy treated with high-dose methylprednisolone demonst rated significant shortening of motor recovery when compared with an h istoric control group receiving either no treatment or low-dose steroi ds. The authors add their experience of 10 children with acute transve rse myelopathy treated with high-dose methylprednisolone as soon as th e diagnosis was confirmed. The median time of motor recovery in the pr esent series was 5.5 compared with 23 days in the other study. No sign ificant side effects were observed after treatment. This study provide s further support that this treatment modality is safe and efficient a nd should be suggested for all children with acute transverse myelopat hy after establishing the diagnosis. (C) 1998 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.