Opinion ID: 2427537
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Transverse Myelitis

Text: Lombardi argues that Dr. Tornatore's testimony concerning his diagnosis of transverse myelitis after reviewing Lombardi's MRI, combined with the medical literature that he submitted to support his diagnosis, should have sufficed to demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that she had transverse myelitis. The special master, however, articulated several reasons for rejecting that diagnosis. First, the special master properly recognized the special value that we have placed on the opinions of treating physicians. Special Master Op. at  (citing Capizzano, 440 F.3d at 1326). The special master noted that the neurologist and rheumatologist treating Lombardi shortly after the vaccines were administered, namely, Dr. Sweeney, who conducted a complete neurological exam, and Dr. George, who performed a comprehensive evaluation, did not diagnose transverse myelitis. Id. at  (noting also that the idea that petitioner suffers from transverse myelitis originated in this litigation). The special master found that even Dr. Tornatore did not arrive at that diagnosis after reviewing medical records. Instead, Dr. Tornatore suggested that Lombardi undergo an MRI of her spine, reasoning that if the MRI reveals a demyelinating lesion of the thoracic spine,... the etiology of her flank pain and its association with the hepatitis B vaccination would be clarified. Id. The MRI, however, failed to reveal a lesion, and showed only mild atrophy of the thoracic cord. Yet, Dr. Tornatore found that result sufficient to diagnose transverse myelitis and further to connect it to Lombardi's symptoms nine years earlier. Id. at . It was not arbitrary or capricious for the special master to have rejected that expert testimony. See Moberly, 592 F.3d at 1324. Moreover, the special master explained that Lombardi seems to have had none of the typical problems associated with transverse myelitis, such as numbness, weakness, sensory abnormalities, and problems with the bowel and bladder. Special Master Op. at . The special master's finding that many of Lombardi's complaints did not match the symptoms of transverse myelitis was not arbitrary or capricious. We thus affirm the special master's conclusion that Lombardi failed to establish that she suffered from transverse myelitis.