Diabetic myelopathy.
Diabetic myelopathy occurred in 41% of 75 consecutive, unselected diabetic patients in an autopsy study; clinical peripheral neuropathy occurred in 13%, and histologic radiculopathy in 21%. Infection represented 2.7% of the cord lesions. Posterior column demyelination, seen in 27%, apparently has the same metabolic-toxic origin as diabetic neuropathy and radiculopathy; it is an independent lesion, not a secondary manifestation of peripheral demyelination. It occurs slightly more frequently in those with juvenile-onset diabetes. Spinal cord infarcts, seen in 19%, are related to anteriolar sclerosis of the intrinsic vessels of the spinal cord. They have a higher incidence in diabetics than in a nondiabetic aging population, show a predilection for the white matter, and are usually small. The myelopathy is not related to patient age or duration of diabetes. It is often clinically occult.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000628:therapy; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007238:Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000098:blood supply; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology