title: [Myelopathy due to vitamin B12 deficiency presenting as transverse myelitis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Neurologia Deolindo Couto, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. luizfrv@ig.com.br
authors.forename: Luiz Felipe Rocha
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Vasconcellos
authors.forename: Rosalie Branco
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Correa
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chimelli
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Adriane Baptista
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Janaina
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nagel
authors.forename: Sergio Augusto Pereira
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Novis
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vincent
mesh_terms: 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*