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idiopathic myelopathies with white matter vacuolation
Monday 24 January 2011
Although the etiology of these myelopathies is unknown, their association with immune suppression and coexistent viral infection of the central nervous system suggests that an opportunistic viral infection may be important.
See also
vacuolar myelopathy
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
Associations
leukemia
lymphoma
carcinoma
systemic lupus erythematosus
chronic lung disease
transplantation
cirrhosis
diabetes
hemophagocytic syndrome
viral encephalitis
long-term steroid therapy
immunosuppressive chemotherapy
Signs and symptoms
paraparesis
ataxia
bilateral extensor plantar reflexes
Microscopic examination
vacuolation in spinal cord white matter primarily located in posterior and lateral columns.
Lipid-laden macrophages and axonal changes were proportional to the severity of the vacuolation.
See also
myelopathies
References
Idiopathic myelopathies with white matter vacuolation in non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients. Kamin SS, Petito CK. Hum Pathol. 1991 Aug;22(8):816-24. PMID: 1869265