[Acute idiopathic longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis with peripheral axonal motor neuropathy].

Acute longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) is a rare disease of autoimmune, connective tissue or infectious etiology (bacterial or viral) in which spinal cord lesion extends vertically over three or more vertebral segments. The most common cause of LETM is neuromyelitis optica (Devic's syndrome). It's typically clinically characterized by a tetraparesis or paraparesis of the lower extremities, superficial and deep sensation disturbances and sphincter dysfunction. Differential diagnosis is complex and based on immunological, serological, biochemical tests. Authors present 37-year-old healthy woman with sudden onset of flaccid tetraplegia preceded by upper limbs paresthesia. MRI examination of cervical and thoracic part of the spinal cord revealed extensive, multiple hyperintensive lesions extending from C3 up toTh9. In electroneurography examination coexistent severe peripheral axonal motor neuropathy was diagnosed. Despite performed profound tests the etiology of LETM in our patient remained unknown.