Overview
Secondary acute transverse myelitis is a condition in which the spinal cord becomes inflamed, leading to damage of the protective covering (myelin) around nerve fibers. The term 'secondary' means that this form of transverse myelitis occurs as a result of another underlying condition, such as an autoimmune disease (like lupus or multiple sclerosis), an infection, or another inflammatory disorder, rather than appearing on its own without a known cause. The inflammation typically affects a segment of the spinal cord and can disrupt the signals that travel between the brain and the rest of the body. Symptoms usually develop over hours to days and can include weakness or paralysis in the legs or arms, numbness or tingling, pain in the back or limbs, and problems with bladder and bowel control. The severity varies widely — some people recover well, while others may have lasting disability. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause, reducing inflammation (often with high-dose corticosteroids), managing symptoms, and rehabilitation. Note that this Orphanet entry (139420) is marked as 'OBSOLETE,' meaning the classification has been retired or merged into other disease categories. Patients should work with their doctors to identify the specific underlying cause and the most current diagnostic classification for their condition.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Weakness or paralysis in the legs or armsNumbness or tingling in the legs, arms, or trunkSharp or burning pain in the back, neck, or limbsLoss of bladder controlLoss of bowel controlA band-like tightness around the chest or abdomenDifficulty walking or inability to walkSensitivity to touch or temperature changesMuscle spasms or stiffnessFatigueSexual dysfunction
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
2 eventsUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham — NA
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Secondary acute transverse myelitis.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Secondary acute transverse myelitis.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to OBSOLETE: Secondary acute transverse myelitis.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
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Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the underlying cause of my transverse myelitis, and how will it be treated?,What is my expected recovery, and how long might rehabilitation take?,Am I at risk for another episode, and what can be done to prevent it?,What medications will I need, and what are the possible side effects?,Should I be tested for specific antibodies like aquaporin-4 or MOG?,What rehabilitation services do you recommend, and how often?,Are there any clinical trials or new treatments I should know about?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Secondary acute transverse myelitis
What is OBSOLETE: Secondary acute transverse myelitis?
Secondary acute transverse myelitis is a condition in which the spinal cord becomes inflamed, leading to damage of the protective covering (myelin) around nerve fibers. The term 'secondary' means that this form of transverse myelitis occurs as a result of another underlying condition, such as an autoimmune disease (like lupus or multiple sclerosis), an infection, or another inflammatory disorder, rather than appearing on its own without a known cause. The inflammation typically affects a segment of the spinal cord and can disrupt the signals that travel between the brain and the rest of the bo
Are there clinical trials for OBSOLETE: Secondary acute transverse myelitis?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Secondary acute transverse myelitis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.