[Myelopathy due to vitamin B12 deficiency presenting as transverse myelitis].
Vitamin B12 deficiency may induce neuropathy, myelopathy, dementia and optic neuropathy. The diagnosis is established by vitamin B12, homocysteine and methylmalonic acid measurements. Myelin and axon destruction in the white matter of the spinal cord are observed. The posterior column of the cervical and thoracic level is the most common involved area. The involvement of the anterior column is restricted to advanced and relatively severe cases. Treatment is based on vitamin B12 injections, and the prognosis depends on the stage of vitamin deficiency and deterioration at treatment onset. We report a case with transverse myelitis due to vitamin B12 deficiency. This picture is relatively uncommon, however, we believe patients with transverse myelitis should have vitamin B12 studies as part of the diagnosis work up.
Vasconcellos
Luiz Felipe Rocha
LF
Instituto de Neurologia Deolindo Couto, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. luizfrv@ig.com.br
Correa
Rosalie Branco
RB
Chimelli
Leila
L
Nascimento
Fernanda
F
Fonseca
Adriane Baptista
AB
Nagel
Janaina
J
Novis
Sergio Augusto Pereira
SA
Vincent
Maurice
M
D000752:Anemia, Pernicious / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009188:Myelitis, Transverse / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications*