Demyelinating Diseases USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 28-year-old man develops acute paraplegia and urinary retention over 12 hours. He reports back pain and recent upper respiratory infection. Spinal MRI shows a T2 hyperintense lesion spanning T3-T5, with cord swelling but no hemorrhage. CSF shows mild lymphocytic pleocytosis. Serum aquaporin-4 and MOG antibodies are negative. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer choices
- ANeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
- BAcute poliomyelitis
- CSpinal muscular atrophy
- DSpinal cord compression from disc herniation
- EAcute transverse myelitisCorrect answer
- FMultiple sclerosis with acute myelitis relapse
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