About panmyelopathy

What is panmyelopathy?

Acquired aplastic anemia is a rare disorder caused by profound, almost complete bone marrow failure. Bone marrow is the spongy substance found in the center of the bones of the body, in adults mainly the spine, pelvis, and large bones of the legs. The bone marrow produces specialized cells (hematopoietic stem cells) that grow and eventually develop into red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets. In acquired aplastic anemia, an almost complete absence of hematopoietic stem cells eventually results in low levels of red and white blood cells and platelets (pancytopenia). Specific symptoms associated with acquired aplastic anemia may vary, but include fatigue, chronic infections, dizziness, weakness, headaches, and episodes of bleeding, usually in the skin and mucous membranes. Although some cases of acquired aplastic anemia occurs secondary to other disorders, researchers now believe that most cases result from a disorder of the patient's immune system, which mistakenly targets the bone marrow (autoimmunity). This is based on the response of the majority of patients to immunotherapy, whether it is ATG and cyclosporine, high-dose corticosteroids or cyclophosphamide.


What are the symptoms for panmyelopathy?

Panmyelopathy describes a collection of symptoms that result from severe spinal compression. When something compresses (squeezes) the spinal cord, it can’t function properly. That can lead to pain, loss of feeling, or difficulty moving certain parts of the body.

1. The spine encases the spinal cord — a collection of nerves that carry messages between your brain and body.
2. Usually, the bones of the spine protect your spinal cord, preventing it from getting compressed.
3. But a traumatic injury to the spine, degenerative conditions like arthritis, tumors, infections, and ruptured discs can cause enough pressure to affect or injure the spinal cord.
4. Spinal cord compression affects the nerves that control many of your body’s movements and functions.
5. Different areas of the spinal cord control different functions. Symptoms of myelopathy depend on which part of the spinal cord is affected.

Some common symptoms include:
1. Pain in the neck or back.
2. Tingling, numbness, or Weakness in arms, hands, legs, or feet.
3. Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as buttoning a shirt or grasping small objects.
4. Balance or coordination issues.
5. Changes to reflexes in your extremities.
6. Loss of bladder or bowel control.

Symptoms
Pain in neck or back,Tingling, Numbness or Weakness in arms, hands, legs or feet
Conditions
Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as buttoning a shirt or grasping small objects,Balance or coordination issues,Changes to reflexes in your extremities
Drugs
NSAIDs Nonsurgical treatments can help relieve symptoms,But once the spinal cord is compressed, most people need surgery to relieve the pressure,Corticosteroids,Physical therapy

What are the causes for panmyelopathy?

Panmyelopathy is primarily caused by the compression of the spinal cord due to several causes.it affects the normal working of the spinal cord and the associated nerves. Most of the time, there is a multiplicity of symptoms as the spinal nerves control various reflexes and involuntary actions.
The most common causes of the condition include

1. Ruptured or herniated disk: Sometimes, one of the disks that help cushion the spine herniates (bulges out between vertebrae). Or it may rupture (leak fluid, flattening the disk). The herniated disk can push into the spinal cord, placing pressure on it.
2. Spinal tumor: A spinal tumor (whether cancerous or not) can press on the spinal cord.
3. Neurodegenerative diseases: Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or ALS can affect nerve functions of the spinal cord.
4. Spinal stenosis: As you age, arthritis in the spine can narrow the spaces within your spinal column. This narrowing is called spinal stenosis.

The exact reason for the disease is detected by

1. Imaging tests, such as spine X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.
2. Myelogram, using contrast dye along with X-rays or CT scans to show the relationship between bones and soft tissue in your spine.
3. Nerve function tests, such as electromyogram or evoked potentials, to measure how your brain and body send messages.

Symptoms
Pain in neck or back,Tingling, numbness or weakness in arms, hands, legs or feet
Conditions
Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as buttoning a shirt or grasping small objects,Balance or coordination issues,Changes to reflexes in your extremities
Drugs
NSAIDs Nonsurgical treatments can help relieve symptoms,But once the spinal cord is compressed, most people need surgery to relieve the pressure,Corticosteroids,Physical therapy

What are the treatments for panmyelopathy?

The spine encases the spinal cord — a collection of nerves that carry messages between your brain and body. Usually, the bones of the spine protect your spinal cord, preventing it from getting compressed. But a traumatic injury to the spine, degenerative conditions like arthritis, tumors, infections, and ruptured discs can cause enough pressure to affect or injure the spinal cord.
Treatment for myelopathy depends in part on what’s causing the condition.

If panmyelopathy is due to an infection or tumor, your provider will treat that first.

1. Nonsurgical treatment: Nonsurgical treatments can help relieve symptoms. But once the spinal cord is compressed, most people need surgery to relieve the pressure. If your symptoms are minor or you are waiting for surgery, your provider may recommend nonsurgical care. These treatments can help relieve pain and other symptoms. Treatment might include bracing, physical therapy, or corticosteroids.

2. Surgery: Surgeons use spinal decompression surgery to remove a herniated disk, cyst, bone spur, or tumor pressing on the spinal cord. A laminectomy is a type of decompression surgery. During this procedure, a surgeon removes small bones (called the lamina) from the spine. Removing the bones expands the space around the spinal cord.

What are the risk factors for panmyelopathy?

Panmyelopathy is primarily caused by the compression of the spinal cord due to several causes.it affects the normal working of the spinal cord and the associated nerves. Most of the time, there is a multiplicity of symptoms as the spinal nerves control various reflexes and involuntary actions.

The most common risk factors for the condition include
1. Ruptured or herniated disk: Sometimes, one of the disks that help cushion the spine herniates (bulges out between vertebrae): Or it may rupture (leak fluid, flattening the disk). The herniated disk can push into the spinal cord, placing pressure on it.
2. Spinal tumor: A spinal tumor (whether cancerous or not) can press on the spinal cord.
3. Neurodegenerative diseases. Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or ALS can affect nerve functions of the spinal cord.

Common to all people suffering from myelopathy are the following signs and symptoms:

1. Pain or discomfort
2. Loss of sensation, function, or movement
3. Tingling, prickling, or numbness, along with feelings of being “shocked” or “electrified.”
4. Difficulties with balance and movement, both fine and gross (for example, writing and walking)
5. Reflexes that are increased, exaggerated, or otherwise abnormal
6. Movements that are sudden, spasmodic, and irregular

Symptoms
Pain in neck or back,Tingling, numbness or weakness in arms, hands, legs or feet
Conditions
Difficulty with fine motor skills, such as buttoning a shirt or grasping small objects,Balance or coordination issues,Changes to reflexes in your extremities
Drugs
NSAIDs Nonsurgical treatments can help relieve symptoms,But once the spinal cord is compressed, most people need surgery to relieve the pressure,Corticosteroids,Physical therapy

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