Acute flaccid myelitis: Case report

In August 2018, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted an increased number of reports of patients in the U.S. having symptoms clinically compatible with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). AFM is characterized by rapid onset of flaccid weakness in one or more limbs and distinct abnormalities of the spinal cord gray matter on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Clinical and laboratory data suggest that AFM is associated with an antecedent viral infection. AFM may be difficult to differentiate from other causes of paralysis and, given that it is rare, has the potential to be overlooked. This case highlights important clinical characteristics of AFM and emphasizes the importance of including AFM in the differential diagnosis when evaluating active duty service members and Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries presenting with paralysis.