Etymed
myelitis
Definition
Inflammation of the bone marrow or spinal cord
Clinical context
A 25-year-old woman presents with progressive weakness in both legs and urinary retention. MRI of the spine shows enhancement of the thoracic spinal cord. She recently had a viral prodrome with fever and malaise. The most likely diagnosis is transverse myelitis, an inflammatory condition of the spinal cord. Myelitis can be caused by autoimmune conditions, infections, or demyelinating diseases.
Mnemonic
Myelitis = Myelin inflammation in the bone marrow or spinal cord - remember 'M' for 'marrow' and 'spinal' cord inflammation