Non traumatic paraparesis: aetiological, clinical and radiological profile.

AIM OF STUDY: To study the aetiological and clinical profile of non traumatic paraparesis and radiological correlation with newer aids of diagnosis like CT scan, MRI.

METHODOLOGY: Forty cases of non traumatic paraparesis admitted at Sri Sayaji General Hospital, Baroda were studied. The clinical, laboratory data and radiological features were analyzed.

RESULTS

Spinal tuberculosis was commonest cause (30%) of paraparesis followed by acute transverse myelitis (20%) and then by primary spinal cord tumours (10%). Incidence of paraparesis was highest (32.5%) in third decade. Backache (75%), parasthesias (62.5%) were common symptoms accompanying paraparesis. Spasticity was present in 57.5% patients. Myelography showed block in 58.5% patients. CT scan following myelography exactly delineated the primary spinal cord tumours and confirmed diagnosis in spinal TB, arachnoid cysts and other compressive myelopathies. MRI, showed plaques of demyelination in two patients, and epidermoid cyst in one patient.

CONCLUSION

Tuberculosis of the spine was the commonest cause of paraparesis followed by acute transverse myelitis. CT scan and MRI are important diagnostic aids in patients of paraparesis.