title: Diabetic neuropathy simulating conus medullaris syndrome.
abstract: Two diabetic patients presented with fecal incontinence, poor rectal sphincter tone, perianal hypoesthesia, and absent Achilles reflexes. These signs suggested the conus medullaris syndrome; however, no mass lesion was found to account for the clinical features. Fecal incontinence can occur in long-standing, insulin-dependent diabetics. Back pain and absence of autonomic and peripheral neuropathy should indicate an etiology other than diabetic neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Scherokman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vukelja
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D013577:Syndrome; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000209:etiology