Transverse myelitis occurring in association with primary biliary cirrhosis and Sjogren's syndrome.

Abhinandana Anantharaju, Mehdi Baluch, David H Van Thiel

Journal: Digestive diseases and sciences 2003;48(4):830-3

PMID: 12741480

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Abstract

Transverse myelitis (TM) as a manifestation of an autoimmune disorder is relatively rare. In Sjogren's syndrome (SS), the occurrence of TM is remarkably uncommon. Only three cases have been reported associated with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Here we report the fourth case of TM occurring in association with SS and PBC. Patients with unexplained transverse myelitis require a careful search for an underlying etiology to include the findings of SS and PBC. The precise pathogenesis of TM in patients with SS is unknown. Most show good response to steroids. Cyclophosphamide and chlorambucil may be useful in those who respond poorly to steroids.

Address: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Loyola University Medical Center; Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA.

DOI: 10.1023/a:1022821800714

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MeSH Terms: Aged, Autoimmune Diseases, Diagnosis, Differential, Female, Humans, Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Myelitis, Transverse, Neurologic Examination, Recurrence, Sjogren's Syndrome, Spinal Cord, Thoracic Vertebrae