Case 7: Chief Complaint: Paraplegia and Encephalopathy

Hospital Course and Physical Exam

The patient was treated for "transverse myelitis" with oral prednisone and experienced initial improvement. However, he soon developed mental status changes prompting a repeat MRI of the brain that now read as "abnormal." The patient was then transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland. for further work-up. He was initially found to be afebrile, with stable vital signs.

Well-developed man, with slight Cushingoid appearance; HEENT -- within normal limits (including undilated fundoscopic exam); Cardiovascular -- within normal limits with a regular rate and rhythm, and normal S1 and S2; Lungs -- within normal limits (clear to auscultation bilaterally); Abdomen -- within normal limits, no hepatosplenomegaly; and Skin -- few ecchymoses.

The patient was alert and oriented to person, but with a flat affect and complaining, "Takes an eternity to answer questions." His speech was slow but fluent, and language comprehension intact, but he had difficulty with complex tasks.

His pupils were equal, round, and reactive; he was unable to cooperate with the visual field exam. Extraocular movements were full but, again, he was unable to complete pursuit testing. His facial movements were symmetric and sensation was intact. His tongue and uvula were midline. The exam demonstrated left-sided sensorineural hearing loss. Sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscle strength were normal.

Motor exam:

Upper extremities, 5 of 5; and Lower extremities, 3 of 5 proximally and 4+ of 5 distally.

Sensation:

Thoracic sensory level to light touch and temperature at T10; and Pinprick intact.

Deep tendon reflexes:

Brisk, 3+ in the upper extremities, 3+ at both patellas, with clonus that did not extinguish.

His head MRI was repeated and is shown in Figure 1.

Which of the following tests should be done first?

1. Electroencephalogram (EEG)

2. Cerebral angiogram

3. Temporal artery biopsy

4. Echocardiogram

View the correct answer.

© 2004 Medscape

Cite this: Case 7: Chief Complaint: Paraplegia and Encephalopathy - Medscape - Dec 15, 2004.