The term “transverse myelitis” describes a heterogeneous group of inflammatory disorders that are characterized by acute or subacute motor, sensory, and autonomic (bladder, bowel, and sexual) spinal cord dysfunction. The clinical signs are caused by an interruption in ascending and descending neuroanatomical pathways in the transverse plane of the spinal cord, and a resulting sensory level is characteristic of the syndrome.
Diagnostic
Diagnostic Criteria for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) has been known by many names, but most commonly as reflex sympathetic dystrophy and causalgia (as attributed to Evans and Mitchell, respectively). In the past, it was diagnosed using a variety of nonstandardized and idiosyncratic diagnostic systems. The name was ultimately changed to complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) at a consensus workshop in Orlando, Florida, in 1994, with the new name and diagnostic criteria codified by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) task force on taxonomy.
Diagnostic Criteria for Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML)
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system caused by the reactivation of a ubiquitous polyomavirus JC (JCV). PML was for many years a rare disease occurring only in patients with underlying severe impaired immunity.
Diagnostic Criteria for Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD)
Classic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a human prion disease. It is a neurodegenerative disorder with characteristic clinical and diagnostic features. This disease is rapidly progressive and always fatal. Infection with this disease leads to death, usually within 1 year of onset of illness. The criteria for clinical diagnosis plus the CSF real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) accurately identifies patients with sCJD (sensitivity 97%, specificity 99%).
Diagnostic Criteria for Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (ALPS)
Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is characterized by dysregulation of the immune system due to an inability to regulate lymphocyte homeostasis through the process of lymphocyte apoptosis (a form of programmed cell death). The consequences of this include lymphoproliferative disease, manifested by lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and an increased risk of lymphoma, as well as autoimmune disease, typically involving blood cells.
Diagnostic Criteria for Thyroid Storm
Burch and Wartofsky have delineated a point system assessing degrees of dysfunction in various systems (thermoregulatory, central nervous, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular).
Diagnostic Criteria for Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN)
Small fiber neuropathy manifests in a variety of different diseases and often results in symptoms of burning pain, shooting pain, allodynia, and hyperesthesia.
Diagnostic Criteria for Refractory Ascites
Refractory ascites is defined as ascites that does not recede or that recurs shortly after therapeutic paracentesis, despite sodium restriction and diuretic treatment.
Diagnostic Criteria for Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in some people with the skin condition psoriasis. It typically causes affected joints to become inflamed (swollen), stiff and painful.
Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Hospital-Acquired (or Nosocomial) Pneumonia (HAP)
Acute nosocomial pneumonia is broadly defined as pneumonia characterized by a new and persistent infiltrate (radiographically present for greater than 48 hours) PLUS one of the following: