Affiliations: [a] Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| [b] Pediatric Health Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| [c] Department of Radiology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| [d] Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Vahideh Toopchizadeh, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Golgasht Ave., Tabriz, Zip code: 5166615556, Iran. Tel.: +98 4133373967/9144140684; Fax: +98 4133373967; E-mail: toopchi.v@gmail.com.
Abstract: Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is an acute condition occurring mostly in children. Although affected patients can show a broad spectrum of symptoms, it is mainly characterized by the progressive onset of focal limb weakness, presenting over a period of hours to a week, with or without pain, and spinal cord gray matter involvement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). There is compelling evidence to support the role of viruses, in particular enteroviruses. Studies describing electrodiagnostic (EDX) abnormalities and long-term outcomes in AFM are limited. In this report, the clinical presentation, EDX and MRI findings, and long-term outcomes in three children with AFM who presented with progressive and asymmetric weakness of the limbs are described. MRI showed a long segment cervicothoracic lesion with vertical expansion in all three cases. Patients do recover in time, but many continue to have permanent muscle weakness in the worst affected part(s), and complete recovery is rare. Follow-up of these three cases at 18 months demonstrated a partial recovery in the motor system.
