[Non-traumatic paraplegia at the campus teaching hospital of Lome. Report of 243 cases].

To ascertain the aetiology, of non traumatic paraplegia retrospective survey, concerning 2396 patients hospitalised from January 1st 1995 to December 31st 1999, was done. Two hundred forty three cases were founded after investigation. The frequency of non traumatic paraplegia was 10.14%. Peripheral motor neuron's causes were 48.97% (119 cases). In this group, tropical neuromyelopathies were the commonest 65.54% (78 cases) while Guillain Barre syndrome was 3.36% (4 cases). Bones, epidural et meningeal (envelope) causes were 38.68% (94 cases). In this group, tuberculosis was 17 cases, tumour 36 cases. Central motor neuron causes were 9.46% (23 cases) with HIV myelitis 13 cases, tumour 3 cases, degenerative conditions 6 cases. It is concluded that the major causes of non traumatic paraplegia in Lome are similar to that reported from sub sahara countries with tropical neuromyelopathies, tumours, tuberculosis and HIV myelitis.