Transverse myelitis associated with chronic viral hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: HCV infection could cause several extra hepatic diseases including mixed cryoglobulinemia. Peripheral neuropathy is the most common complication of mixed cryoglobulinemia. In addition to cryoglobulinemia's neuropathy, transverse myelitis had been related to HCV infection. AIM: But causality of this association is not clearly established. CASE REPORT: A 55-year-old man presented with motor deficiency in lower extremities and urinary retention. Neurological exams showed a spastic paraparesis and proprioceptive ataxia. Spinal MRI revealed a contrast enhancing signal abnormality within the spinal cord extending from Levels C3 to C5. Serology hepatitis C and viremia were positive. Clinical diagnosis of acute demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy associated to chronic hepatitis C was etablished.
CONCLUSION: Screening of HCV infection must be done in patients with transverse myelitis and no clear aetiology.