Transverse myelitis
A guide for patients and carers
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What is transverse myelitis?
Transverse myelitis is a rare disease of the central nervous system involving inflammation in the spinal cord. (‘Transverse’ refers to the inflammation being across the width of the spinal cord and ‘myelitis’ refers to the specific part of the spinal cord affected.)
The inflammation causes swelling which can block messages (nerve impulses) travelling along the spinal cord.
The inflammation can also damage or destroy the myelin sheath surrounding the axons in the spinal cord, probably by damaging the specialised cells which produce myelin (the oligodendrocytes). Messages (nerve impulses) cannot be transmitted properly as myelin is stripped off the axons causing scarring.
The inflammation causes swelling which can block messages (nerve impulses) travelling along the spinal cord.
The inflammation can also damage or destroy the myelin sheath surrounding the axons in the spinal cord, probably by damaging the specialised cells which produce myelin (the oligodendrocytes). Messages (nerve impulses) cannot be transmitted properly as myelin is stripped off the axons causing scarring.
The inflammation most commonly occurs in the thoracic section of the spinal cord (the middle section below the neck and above the stomach). The damage affects this area but it can also affect the areas of the spinal cord below the thoracic section: the lumbar section (lower back) and the sacrum (between the hips).
Most people with transverse myelitis experience weakness and a change in sensation (unusual feelings) in the lower half of the body and have problems with their bowel and bladder.
Commonly, the onset of transverse myelitis is sudden and it can progress to its most severe state very quickly, often in just 24-48 hours.
However, for some people affected by transverse myelitis, their symptoms develop slowly over several weeks.
The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
Messages (nerve impulses) from the brain travel along the spinal cord and control the activities of the body such as movement of the arms and legs or function of the organs.
The peripheral nervous system (the network of nerves outside the central nervous system) carries messages between the central nervous system and the rest of the body.
The spinal cord carries messages (nerve impulses) from the brain to the body and from the body to the brain.
It is made up of different types of cells. The cells responsible for transmitting messages are called neurons. Neurons have long extensions called axons which carry the messages up and down the spinal cord. Axons are arranged in bundles called tracts.
Some of the tracts carry motor function messages which stimulate muscles to produce movement and some of them carry sensory messages which control sensations such as touch, pain and temperature.
To increase the speed at which the messages travel, most axons are surrounded by a whitish fatty substance called myelin which forms a protective covering (sheath) around them. Myelin is produced by specialised cells called oligodendrocytes.
Most people with transverse myelitis experience weakness and a change in sensation (unusual feelings) in the lower half of the body and have problems with their bowel and bladder.
Commonly, the onset of transverse myelitis is sudden and it can progress to its most severe state very quickly, often in just 24-48 hours.
However, for some people affected by transverse myelitis, their symptoms develop slowly over several weeks.
The Central Nervous System
The central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
Messages (nerve impulses) from the brain travel along the spinal cord and control the activities of the body such as movement of the arms and legs or function of the organs.
The peripheral nervous system (the network of nerves outside the central nervous system) carries messages between the central nervous system and the rest of the body.
Diagram of the central nervous system
The spinal cord
The spinal cord carries messages (nerve impulses) from the brain to the body and from the body to the brain.
It is made up of different types of cells. The cells responsible for transmitting messages are called neurons. Neurons have long extensions called axons which carry the messages up and down the spinal cord. Axons are arranged in bundles called tracts.
Some of the tracts carry motor function messages which stimulate muscles to produce movement and some of them carry sensory messages which control sensations such as touch, pain and temperature.
To increase the speed at which the messages travel, most axons are surrounded by a whitish fatty substance called myelin which forms a protective covering (sheath) around them. Myelin is produced by specialised cells called oligodendrocytes.
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Contents
- What is transverse myelitis?
- What causes transverse myelitis?
- How common is transverse myelitis?
- What are the symptoms of transverse myelitis?
- Tests and investigations for transverse myelitis
- Possible treatments for transverse myelitis
- Going home
- Recovery from transverse myelitis
- Longer term effects of transverse myelitis
- Relapses
- Other demyelinating conditions
- Future treatments for transverse myelitis
- Useful contacts
- Support groups and further reading
- Thank you
- Your feedback on Transverse Myelitis
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Transverse myelitis
ISBN 978-1-901893-57-1
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