Encephalomyeloradiculopathy of infectious or parainfectious etiology--a new entity?

Between 19 March 1990 and 24 December 1992, six persons in Nova Scotia presented with a unique neurological illness. A prodrome of fever and headache was followed by neurogenic bladder, transverse myelitis, and encephalopathy in association with mononuclear pleocytosis of the CSF and nerve-conduction study findings consistent with polyradiculopathy. The spinal cords of three of the patients appeared abnormal on myelograms or magnetic resonance imaging studies. No microbial agent was isolated or demonstrated serologically. All of the patients were treated with antimicrobial agents and corticosteroids. Three recovered completely, but neurogenic bladder persisted in the remaining three. We suggest that this group of patients manifested an encephalomyeloradiculopathy that is likely a new clinical entity of infectious or parainfectious etiology.