Flaccid paralysis

At the time the article was created Frank Gaillard had the following disclosures: • Radiopaedia Australia Pty Ltd and Radiopaedia Events Pty Ltd, Director, Founder and CEO (Radiopaedia) (ongoing) • Biogen Australia Pty Ltd, Investigator-Initiated Research Grant for CAD software in multiple sclerosis: finished Oct 2021 (past) These were assessed during peer review and were determined to not be relevant to the changes that were made. Acute flaccid paralysis is a syndrome resulting from a wide array of underlying conditions. The features are of a fairly rapidly progressing lower motor neuron pattern weakness with potential involvement not only of the limbs but also of muscles of the pharynx, trunk and diaphragm 1. Historically 3,4. Article: • • • • Epidemiology There are numerous causes of acute flaccid paralysis (see below) and these causes also vary dramatically between different populations. As such all ages and genders are affected, and these are discussed separately. Clinical presentation Patients presenting with acute flaccid paralysis have a rapid onset of quadriparesis or paraparesis with weakness reaching maximum severity over the course of several days to weeks, depending on the underlying cause (see below) 1. Pathology Etiology Causes of acute flaccid paralysis include 1: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1. Bhalla A, Prabhakar S, Rajan R, Kaushik R, Kharbanda P. Acute Flaccid Paralysis in Adults: Our Experience. J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2014;7(3):149. • 2. Soltani ...

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) is a polio-like illness that affects the nerve cells (motor neurons) in the gray matter of the spinal cord. It is thought to be due to a viral infection. Children with AFM have acute (rapid) onset of flaccid (floppy) paralysis, usually in an arm or leg. They may also have trouble moving their face or trouble swallowing. This weakness may progress to weakness of the muscles that control breathing, so seeking care for a child who is developing weakness is important. AFM is rare, but an increasingly recognized cause of paralysis, occurring primarily in children. In recent history, AFM has been observed in clusters that seem to occur every two years. The first notable increase occurred in 2014, with additional spikes in 2016 and 2018. Signs and symptoms of AFM A diagnosis of acute flaccid myelitis can be made with the observation of weakness of the limbs, decreased reflexes and poor muscle tone on exam. Evidence of injury to the spinal cord can be confirmed using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. A distinctive pattern is seen in the spinal cord, with a butterfly-shaped pattern of abnormality affecting the gray matter. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing is typically done to search for infections and rule out other causes. Treatment for AFM To date, there have been no controlled studies of medical treatments for AFM. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) may be used to try to build up the body’s resistance to viruses. Medications typically used for...

Many people who develop AFM have an illness with fever about When the symptoms of AFM develop, they can include: • limb • • pain in the limbs, neck, or back • difficulty with movement • facial weakness, which can cause • difficulty talking or Fever and headache are also common symptoms of AFM. AFM is a medical emergency. If you or a child experiences any of the symptoms above, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately. The exact cause of AFM is still unknown. However, an increase in the occurrence of AFM often links to a rise in illnesses due to the Indeed, many people who develop AFM report having an illness with fever before their symptoms come on. Most cases of AFM happen Enteroviruses are a diverse group of viruses. Several types of enteroviruses can cause the We don’t know how exactly EV-D68 may cause AFM. It’s possible that the damage in the gray matter, which leads to the symptoms of AFM, could be due to the virus itself, the immune system’s response to the infection, or both. Many people that get AFM are children. A The diagnosis of AFM can be tricky. Not only is it rare overall, but its symptoms can be similar to other neurological conditions, including, but not limited to: • polio • • • • Getting a thorough medical history is important. In addition to evaluating your symptoms, a doctor will note things like age, time of year, and if you have a recent history of illness with fever. They can also do the following tests to help confirm a diagnosis of AFM: • P...

Hemiplegia is a condition If hemiplegia onsets before birth, during birth, or within the first 2 years of life, it’s known as congenital hemiplegia. If hemiplegia develops later in life, it’s known as acquired hemiplegia. Hemiplegia is non-progressive. Once the disorder begins, symptoms don’t get worse. Keep reading to learn about why hemiplegia occurs and the common treatment options available. Hemiparesis vs. hemiplegia A person with Hemiplegia vs. cerebral palsy Cerebral palsy develops either before birth or in the first few years of life. The most common cause of hemiplegia in children is a Hemiplegia can affect either the left or right side of your body. Whichever side of your brain is affected causes symptoms on the opposite side of your body. People can have different symptoms from hemiplegia depending on its severity. Symptoms can include: • muscle weakness or stiffness on one side • muscle spasticity or permanently contracted muscle • poor • trouble walking • poor balance • trouble grabbing objects Children with hemiplegia may also take longer to reach If hemiplegia is caused by a brain injury, the brain damage can cause symptoms that aren’t specific to hemiplegia, such as: • memory problems • trouble concentrating • speech issues • behavior changes • seizures Stroke Brain infections A Brain trauma A sudden impact to your head can cause permanent brain damage. If the trauma only affects one side of your brain, hemiplegia can develop. Common causes of trauma includ...