J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2006 Mar;13(1):86-90.

A Case of Primary Sjogren's Syndrome Associated with Acute Transverse Myelitis

• Choi SW
• Jung HC
• Kim J
• Kang BS
• Kim YM

Abstract

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterized by dryness of the eyes, mouth, and other mucous membranes with multiple abnormalities of cellular and humoral immunity. There are numerous neurologic symptoms in Sjogren's syndrome involving the central, peripheral and autonomic nervous system. Transverse myelitis is an uncommon and serious complication of Sjogren's syndrome. It is an inflammatory process affecting one or more segments of the spinal cord that interrupts most of the large tracts across the greater part of the horizontal extent of the cord at the level of the lesion. The dramatic presentation with rapidly progressive symptoms involving motor, sensory, and autonomic functions makes transverse myelitis a medical emergency. We describe a patient of Sjogren's syndrome associated with transverse myelitis, manifest as paraparesis and urinary retention. MRI showed involvement of the spinal cord from C3 to T3. The patients symptoms improved to the therapy with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide.

Keyword

Sjogren's syndrome; Transverse myelitis

MeSH Terms

Abnormalities, Multiple
Autonomic Nervous System
Cyclophosphamide
Emergencies
Humans
Immunity, Humoral
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mouth
Mucous Membrane
Myelitis, Transverse*
Neurologic Manifestations
Paraparesis
Sjogren's Syndrome*
Spinal Cord
Urinary Retention
Cyclophosphamide