[Myelopathy - Sjogren's syndrome association: analysis of clinical and radiological findings and clinical course]

Rev Neurol (Paris). 2001 Jul;157(6-7):669-78.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Myelopathies associated with Sjögren's syndrome has been rarely described especially concerning magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and treatment aspects. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical, laboratory and radiological features of myelopathies occurring in Sjögren's syndrome. Eleven patients were studied, 7 with an acute myelopathy and 4 with a chronic form. Acute myelopathy were clinically severe with a feature of transverse myelitis necessitating immunosuppressive drugs. On the other hand, chronic forms were closely similar to progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), for clinical and laboratory data. In 7 cases optic neuritis was found associated with myelopathy and fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of Devic's syndrome in 4 cases. The diagnosis of myelopathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome may be difficult especially compared with MS, HTLV1 or HIV myelopathy and sarcoidosis, in the chronic form but also with other vasculitis, MS or viral infection in the acute forms. However, in this last form, magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid data should bring to the diagnosis of Sjögren syndrome and confirmed by appropriate tests. This diagnosis will have direct consequences for an early treatment by immunosuppressive drugs.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / diagnosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / physiopathology
  • Myelitis, Transverse / diagnosis
  • Myelitis, Transverse / drug therapy
  • Myelitis, Transverse / physiopathology
  • Optic Neuritis / diagnosis
  • Optic Neuritis / drug therapy
  • Optic Neuritis / physiopathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord / drug effects
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / drug therapy
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / physiopathology

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents