Dengue transverse myelitis – a case report

Abstract

The present case describes a patient who developed acute flaccid paraparesis, urinary retention, and sensory impairment following a self-limited viral illness, with detection of dengue virus RT-PCR in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and imaging findings consistent with spinal cord involvement. The association between dengue infection and transverse myelitis is rare but has been reported in the literature and is considered one of the neurological manifestations of so-called neurodengue.The patient was initially treated with high-dose intravenous  methylprednisolone (1 g/day) for five days. In the absence of a satisfactory clinical response, therapeutic plasma exchange was initiated, totaling five sessions, resulting in progressive improvement of sensory symptoms and sphincter dysfunction. He was discharged after 28 days of hospitalization with partial motor recovery and remains under outpatient follow-up with neurology and motor physiotherapy.