title: Subacute combined spinal cord degeneration and pancytopenia secondary to severe vitamin B12 deficiency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Decreased vitamin B12 concentration does not usually result in clinical or hematological abnormalities. Subacute combined spinal cord degeneration and pancytopenia are two serious and rarely displayed consequences that appear in severe deficits.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present the case of a patient with subacute combined spinal cord degeneration and pancytopenia secondary to severe and sustained vitamin B12 deficiency. Such cases are rare nowadays and have potentially fatal consequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin B12 deficiency should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis in cases of blood disorders or severe neurological symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment can avoid irreversible consequences.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Service, Defense General Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain. j_cabrerizo@hotmail.com
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cabrerizo-García
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sebastián-Royo
authors.forename: Nerea
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Montes
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zalba-Etayo
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010198:Pancytopenia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D052879:Subacute Combined Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014805:Vitamin B 12