Acute compressive myelopathy mimicking transverse myelitis

Background: Acute compressive myelopathy (ACM) is occasionally associated with fusiform T2 signal changes on MRI. When this occurs, the radiologic appearance can result in misdiagnosis as transverse myelitis, either idiopathic or as a NMO spectrum disorder. This misdiagnosis can delay appropriate surgical referral, and may result in inappropriate treatments.