Transverse myelitis is a rare disease. It is characterized by focal inflammation within the spinal cord, which develops symptoms of neurological dysfunction of motor, sensory, and autonomic nerves. There is often a clearly defined border of sensory dysfunction. The clinical symptoms usually include lower limb weakness, bladder dysfunction, and numbness. Transverse myelitis and multiple sclerosis have many common symptoms. We reported a 47-year-old female whose initial manifestations were a sudden onset of numbness, lower limb weakness, and voiding dysfunction. Neurological examination showed decreased muscle power of the bilateral lower limbs. Pain sensation was decreased below the T4 level. A second spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) three days after admission showed a long and continuous segment of hyperintense lesions in the spinal cord from T2 to T7 level on T2WI. Based on the fact that the lesion of spinal MRI was continuous and as a result of fact that the visual evoked potential was normal, transverse myelitis was impressed. After early rehabilitation intervention, the muscle power of her lower limbs was significantly improved; she was able to walk independently and her voiding function was regained. After following up for three years, she had recovered well and can deal with activities of daily living in an independent manner. Based on the above, we suggest that early rehabilitation of idiopathic transverse myelitis patients is important.
