Myelitis

{mi-el-i* -tis) \jivzkog, marrow; trig, inflammation]. I. Inflammation of the spinal cord. If it affects the gray matter, it is called poliomyelitis; if the white matter, leukomyelitis; if it extends entirely acro the cord, transverse myelitis. M., Acute, that due to exposure to cold, injuries, or to acute general diseases; it is attended with sensory disturbances and motor paralysis, complete or incomplete, according to the part of the cord involved and the degree of the inflammation. M., Ascending, form a in which the inflammation travels up the cord. M., Bulbar, that affecting the medulla and manifesting itself in disturbances of the cardiorespiratory apparatus, dysphagia, vomiting, and other symptoms. M., Central, myelitis limited chiefly to the gray matter of the cord. M., Chronic, a slowly advancing myelitis, presenting generally the same features as acute myelitis, but extended over a longer period. M., Compre ion-, an inflammation of the spinal cord, secondary to compre ing lesions outside of the cord (caries, carcinoma, exostosis of the vertebrae, aneurysm) or to tumors of the cord itself. M., Cornual, inflammation affecting the anterior or posterior cornua. M., Descending, a form in which the inflammation extends downward, following the pyramidal tracts. M., Diffuse, widely distributed inflammation of the cord involving large areas. M., Di eminated, one in which there are several foci. M., Focal, one in which a small area is affected. M., Hemorrhagic, myelitis a ociated with or dependent upon hemorrhage. M., Pre ure-. See Af., Compre ion-. M., Sclerotic, a form characterized by overgrowth of the interstitial ti ue, which undergoes contraction, producing an increase of hardne of the cord. M., Systemic, a variety in which the inflammation is confined to distinct systems or tracts of the cord. M., Traumatic, myelitis following direct injury. The symptoms of myelitis vary with the character and the seat of the lesion. The sensory disturbances consist of hyperesthesia or anesthesia, girdle-pains, and usually a hyperesthetic zone at the level of the lesion. The reflexes are generally lost in the beginning, but later become exaggerated; sometimes they do not return. Paralysis is present in the parts below the lesion; the muscles are flaccid at first, later rigid. The sphincters are generally paralyzed. Bedsores are common in certain forms of myelitis. 2. Inflammation of bone - marrow; osteomyelitis. 425