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CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 8
| Issue : 2 | Page : 150-153 |
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Acute longitudinal myelitis as the first presentation in child with systemic lupus erythematosus
Vinay M Shivamurthy1, Subramanian Ganesan2, Arif Khan2, Nahin Hussain2, Arani V Sridhar1
1 Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Children's Hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
2 Department of Paediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| Date of Web Publication | 7-Sep-2013 |
Correspondence Address:
Arani V Sridhar
Children's Hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Infirmary Square, Leicester - LE1 5WW
United Kingdom
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1817-1745.117854
 Abstract | | |
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-system auto-immune disorder that is characterized by widespread immune dysregulation, formation of auto-antibodies, and immune complexes, resulting in inflammation and potential damage to variety of organs. It is complicated by neurological manifestations in 25-95% of the patients. Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) may be a complication in 1-2% of patients with SLE but in some patients it may be the initial manifestation of SLE. This sub-group of patients where ATM is the presenting feature may not fulfil the ACR criteria for the diagnosis of SLE which may delay the diagnosis and may affect the outcome. In those patients where the involvement is more than four segments of the spine are believed to have poor prognosis, but early diagnosis and treatment may alter the course and lead to a better outcome. We describe a young Polish girl where ATM was the initial manifestation of SLE involving almost the whole length of spine but she had a reasonably good outcome following early diagnosis and aggressive treatment.
Keywords: Acute transverse myelitis, paediatric systemic lupus erythematosus, Acute longitudinal myelitis
How to cite this article:
Shivamurthy VM, Ganesan S, Khan A, Hussain N, Sridhar AV. Acute longitudinal myelitis as the first presentation in child with systemic lupus erythematosus. J Pediatr Neurosci 2013;8:150-3 |
| Introduction | |  |
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rare connective disease affecting 6-19 cases per 100 000 children. The neurological manifestations are seen in 25-95% of patients with SLE more commonly in the form of headache, psychosis, or cognitive dysfunction. [1],[2] In up to 1-2% of patients with SLE it may be complicated by transverse myelitis but rarely acute transverse myelitis may be the initial manifestation of SLE. We present one such case where ATM was the initial and only manifestation of SLE.
| Case report | | |
A 13-year-old Polish girl, previously fit and well, presented with history of pain in the left leg for 2 weeks progressing to bilateral weakness of legs and sensory loss. She was febrile for 2 days prior to admission. She had constipation and urinary retention. There was no history of trauma, recent vaccination, cough, skin rash, joints pain, oral ulcers, or any other clinical symptoms or signs suggestive of SLE.
On admission to hospital she was afebrile with normal vital observations and blood pressure. Examination of her cardiovascular and respiratory system was unremarkable. Abdominal examination revealed distended abdomen as a result of constipation and urinary retention. Neurological examination suggested normal cranial nerve examination with no bulbar palsy. The motor power in the lower limb at presentation was 3/5 MRC with areflexia. The motor power was 5/5 MRC in the upper limbs with brisk tendon reflexes. There was sensory loss from T4 below. In the next 24-48 h the motor weakness increased with complete weakness in the lower limbs and power deteriorating to 3/5 in the upper limbs. She was diagnosed with acute longitudinal myelitis and started on intravenous-pulsed methylprednisolone for 5 days followed by oral prednisolone in tapering doses.
Blood results at presentation showed normal biochemistry but elevated CRP of 42 mg/L.(normal range 0-10 mg/L) The complete blood count was normal except for low lymphocytes of 0.77 × 10 9 /L. MRI spine [Figure 1] showed multi-focal multi-regional transverse myelitis involving spinal cord from C5 down to the conus. Extensive investigations were carried to identify the underlying cause. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed elevated white cell count (WCC) of 1570 × 10 6 /L with predominant polymorphs and elevated protein of 0.78 g/L. All the cultures including blood, CSF, and urine were reported as no growth. The virology screen was negative including Lyme's serology. Anti nuclear antibodies (ANA) was positive with the titres being 1: 1600 and showing a speckled pattern. At this point pediatric rheumatology opinion was sought to rule out an auto-immune condition or a connective tissue disease leading to transverse myelitis. Rheumatology evaluation did not reveal any other signs suggestive of SLE or any other connective tissue disease. She did not satisfy the Americal College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for diagnosis of SLE. | Figure 1: T2-weighted sagittal image of the cervico-thoracic spine demonstrating enlargement of the spinal cord below C4 with high signal within it
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A further auto-antibody screen revealed significantly elevated double-stranded DNA antibody 355 iu/mL. Anti-Sm antibody, anti-U1 antibody, and anti-RNP70 antibody were positive. C3 and C4 were low. Immunoglobulin profile showed elevated IgG and IgM levels. Cardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant were negative. Aquaporin IgG antibody was negative.
The lab markers were suggestive of SLE but with no convincing clinical features to correlate. She was transferred to local tertiary pediatric rheumatology unit. Based on the overall clinical picture and immunology markers, she was commenced on IV cyclophosphamide which was continued for seven cycles. She also underwent three cycles of plasmapheresis as treatment for SLE with ATM. After completion of IV cyclophosphamide cycles, she was commenced on azathioprine, oral prednisolone 10 mg once daily along with hydroxychloroquine. Initially, she needed subcutaneous enoxaparin therapy which was changed to Aspirin once she started mobilizing.
She had neuro rehabilitation in the form of intensive physiotherapy, support from the occupational therapy. She received botox injection in the lower limbs for her spasticity. Over the following few months she made significant recovery. Her repeat MRI of spine [Figure 2] done 16 months later has shown complete resolution of the inflammatory changes. She was able to walk with the use of crutches to move around and uses wheel chair only for long distances. She self-catheterizes her bladder and has normal bowel movements with intermittent need for Movicol. She has normal motor power in the upper limbs and she has normal sensations both in upper and lower limbs. She has re-integrated back at her normal mainstream school. After 18 months of treatment with immunosuppressants and oral steroids, she has not developed any other clinical features of SLE. | Figure 2: T2-weighted sagittal image of the cervico-thoracic cord demonstrating complete resolution of previous inflammatory changes in the spinal cord
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| Discussion | | |
SLE is an auto-immune disease affecting various organ systems. It is complicated by neurological symptoms in 25-95% of the cases. [1],[2] The common symptoms are headache, seizures, or psychosis. ATM is seen in 1-2% of SLE patients, but in one adult study it is reported to be a presenting feature in up to 39% of SLE patients. [1],[3],[4] Most patients who develop complications of ATM do so within 5 years of SLE diagnosis. ATM in SLE may present with the classical picture of motor weakness, sensory disturbance, and sphincter disturbances. Our patient presented with all the classical symptoms of transverse myelitis but with no clinical signs or symptoms suggestive of SLE. The diagnosis of SLE in our patient was made based on positive immunological markers, lymphopenia, and unusual clinical presentation on of longitudinal myelitis. The pathogenesis of ATM in SLE is unclear but most likely the process is immune complex mediated vasculitis or thrombosis leading to ischemic spinal lesions or anti-phospholipid antibodies cross-reacting with spinal cord phospholipids. [1],[5]
In those cases where ATM is the presenting feature of SLE, many may not fulfil the criteria for the diagnosis of SLE but over the course of the disease they may eventually present with other signs and symptoms of SLE. [3] In our reported case although the ANA and double-stranded DNA antibodies are positive, the patient has not shown any other clinical features of SLE. It is likely that the clinical course has been altered with on-going immunosuppression. Investigation may reveal raised inflammatory markers in blood as well as CSF. [3],[4],[6],[7] The auto-antibody screen may show antibodies positive suggesting SLE but with no clinical features to correlate. The diagnosis of SLE is made after excluding other possible causes of ATM and with lab data suggesting SLE. MRI is very useful as it shows the extent of involvement and also helps rule out other causes of myelopathies. It usually shows high signal in T2-weighted images.
A majority of them are positive for anti-phospholipid syndrome, although it is not very clear whether those with APLs do worse in terms of long term recovery. [2],[4],[8]
Our patient presented with neurological signs suggestive of acute longitudinal myelitis but no clinical markers which would suggest SLE. She fulfilled the ACR criteria for 3 out of 11 criteria but immunological markers were highly suggestive of SLE. CSF showed non-specific inflammatory changes with raised WCC and protein. She was diagnosed early and treated aggressively which may have helped the outcome.
The involvement may be limited to one particular segment or involve a long length of the spinal cord. Our patient had almost complete involvement of spinal cord from C5 to conus with a small area near T10 being spared. There have been reports that in those where more than four segments are involved, a high proportion of them have varying degree of disability after treatment. They also may show greater degree of inflammation in CSF and sensory involvement is more frequent. [5],[9] Our patient showed reasonable recovery following aggressive treatment. MRI scan done 16 months after presentation showed complete resolution of T2 changes in the spinal cord.
The general approach to treatment includes steroids in the form of IV PULSE methylprednisolone and immunosuppressants such as cyclophosphamide. [4],[10] This combination of treatment seems to show better response. But the prognosis is generally perceived to be poor in those with SLE. The role of plasmapharesis is not clear although it has been used in some patients. [5]
In general, in those patients with transverse myelitis, 1/3 rd recover completely, 1/3 rd recover partially but 1/3 rd are left with severe disabilities. Those with hyper acute symptoms at onset, positive ANA, or those caused by connective disease have poor outcome. [4],[5]
| Conclusion | | |
Acute longitudinal myelitis can be a devastating condition as it limits one's quality of life. Rarely ATM may be the presenting feature of SLE. ATM secondary to SLE can carry a poor prognosis despite new treatment approaches and the treatment needs more than just steroids. Early detection and aggressive treatment can prevent long-term permanent damage and may even have a favorable outcome. This report emphasizes the need for multi-center trials and the creation of a registry for SLE patients with ATM to help study optimal management options.
| Acknowledgments | | |
Paediatric Urology team, Leicester Royal Infirmary, UK, Paediatric Neurology team, Birmingham Children's Hospital, UK, Tertiary Paediatric Rheumatology Unit, Birmingham Children's Hospital, UK.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2]
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