Subacute combined degeneration of cord - vitamin B12 deficiency

Case contributed by Paresh K Desai
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Long-standing neck pain and recent-onset tingling and numbness in her hands and feet.

Patient Data

Age: 40 years
Gender: Female

Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

Sagittal T2 shows posterior cervical spinal cord hyperintensity.

Axial T2 shows posterior column hyperintensity.

Case Discussion

She is a vegetarian. The present symptoms appeared two months after she excluded milk from her diet. Vitamin B12 levels were subsequently found to be low (30 pg).

MRI shows classic posterior spinal cord hyperintensity; typical of posterior column involvement of SACD.

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