Teaching Neuro Images : Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis in neuro-Behçet disease

Abstract

A 25-year-old man presented with subacute spastic paraparesis. He reported 2 previous episodes of spastic paraparesis with partial recovery. Recurrent oral and genital ulceration, pustular skin eruptions, and fever coexisted. Profound motor weakness, a sensory level at T10, oral ulceration, and a pustular eruption on the anterior abdominal wall were noted. Marked neutrophilia was noted in both blood and CSF. Neuromyelitis optica–immunoglobulin G autoantibody was negative. MRI (figure) demonstrated marked inflammatory changes. IV and oral steroids, followed by 6 months of pulsed IV cyclophosphamide, resulted in marked clinical improvement. Neuro-Behcet disease lies within the clinical differential for longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis.1,2