Identifying transverse myelitis in the emergency care arena

Abstract

Transverse myelitis (TM) is a neurological syndrome involving destruction of the anterior and posterior (transverse) segments of the spinal cord. The objective of this article is to educate emergency nurses and nurse practitioners about how to recognize, diagnose, and treat TM. A comparison of the neurological findings of TM and Guillain-Barré syndrome is presented. In addition, this article will include an algorithm and specific diagnostic criteria to assist in the diagnosis of acute idiopathic TM.