Transverse myelitis may be seen with a number of conditions. The presence of certain findings may be clues to an underlying infection as the cause.
Clues to an underlying infection in a patient with transverse myelitis:
(1) fever
(2) meningismus
(3) concurrent systemic infection
(4) history of recurrent genital infection or chancre
(5) lymphadenopathy
(6) residence in or travel to a region endemic for parasitic infection
(7) vesicular rash
(8) zosteriform rash in a dermatome distribution
(9) erythema chronicum migrans (Lyme disease)
(10) confusion
(11) immunocompromised status
