1/35. MRI in vitamin B12 deficiency myelopathy.BACKGROUND: Little is known about vitamin B12 deficiency myelopathy's magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestations and their relationship to the onset, evolution, and resolution of neurologic signs and symptoms. methods: We present a case and review eleven additional reported cases of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord detected by MRI. RESULTS: Our patient had increased T2-weighted signal and gadolinium contrast enhancement of the posterior columns in the cervical and thoracic regions and enhancement of the lateral columns in the high cervical region. This is a case with imaging evidence for lateral column lesions. Two prior reports have shown posterior column enhancement. T1-weighted images may show decreased signal in the posterior columns and sometimes demonstrate reversible spinal cord swelling. MRI abnormalities typically improve after vitamin replacement therapy. However, clinical signs may persist despite resolution of imaging abnormalities, and these abnormalities do not always resolve completely. In addition, symptoms may precede the imaging abnormality. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B12 deficiency may produce an increased T2-weighted signal, decreased T1-weighted signal, and contrast enhancement of the posterior and lateral columns of the spinal cord, mainly of the cervical and upper thoracic segments. Because the symptoms may precede any imaging abnormality, it is clear that spinal cord MRI may not be a highly sensitive, early test for subacute combined degeneration.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = spinal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/35. MRI of the spinal cord in myelopathy complicating vitamin B12 deficiency: two additional cases and a review of the literature.Focal spinal cord lesions have been present in all previously reported cases of MRI appearances in myelopathy complicating vitamin B12 deficiency. We describe two further cases showing mild atrophy only and review the salient features of the previous 11 publications. MRI findings reflect quite closely the known pathological changes in this condition.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.25keywords = spinal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/35. Myeloneuropathy following nitrous oxide anesthaesia in a patient with macrocytic anaemia.The neurological condition triggered by anaesthesia with nitrous oxide involves the cyanocobalamine pathway and is characterised by progressive demyelination and axonal lesions of the peripheral nerves and cervicothoracic spinal cord (posterior and anterolateral columns) giving a peripheral neuropathy and very frequently subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. It is possible to show these demyelinating lesions by MRI of the spine, allowing early diagnosis and follow-up. We describe a case of myeloneuropathy with onset a few hours after nitrous oxide anaesthesia in a patient with macrocytic anaemia and possible subclinical vitamin B(12) deficiency and MRI evidence of a lesion of the cervical spinal cord. Neurological and haematological improvement followed cyanocobalamine replacement.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.75keywords = spinal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/35. subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord with involvement of the anterior columns: a new MRI finding.We present a case of vitamin B12 deficiency and subacute combined degeneration in a patient with a gastrectomy. MRI showed high-signal lesions on T2-weighted images in both the posterior and anterior columns, associated with minor thoracic spinal cord expansion. The patient was treated with B12 supplements and clinical improvement was associated with reduction of the size of the lesions on MRI.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.25keywords = spinal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/35. nitrous oxide anesthesia-associated myelopathy.BACKGROUND: The role of nitrous oxide exposure in neurologic complications of subclinical cobalamin deficiency has been reported, but few cases are well documented. observation: Two weeks after surgery for prosthetic adenoma, a 69-year-old man developed ascending paresthesia of the limbs, severe ataxia of gait, tactile sensory loss on the 4 limbs and trunk, and absent tendon reflexes. After a second surgical intervention, the patient became confused. Four months after onset, the patient had paraplegia, severe weakness of the upper limbs, cutaneous anesthesia sparing the head, and confusion. Moderate macrocytosis, low serum B12 levels, and a positive schilling test result led to the diagnosis of pernicious anemia. Results of electrophysiologic examinations showed a diffuse demyelinating neuropathy. magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord disclosed hyperintensities of the dorsal columns on T2-weighted images. CONCLUSIONS: Pernicious anemia can result in severe neurologic symptoms with only mild hematologic changes. The role of nitrous oxide anesthesia in revealing subclinical B12 deficiency must be emphazised. magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord might be helpful in making the diagnosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = spinal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/35. Leptomeningeal involvement in a patient with splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes.Splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL) is an indolent hematological malignancy. Persistent lymphocytosis and splenomegaly usually last for years before patients develop infectious complications. Organ involvement other than spleen and bone marrow is rare in SLVL. We report a case of SLVL-related meningitis occurring in a patient presenting with altered mental status and seizures. CNS involvement was documented by an MRI of the head and by the presence of atypical lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Morphologic examination and immunophenotypic analyses were conducted to determine the nature of atypical lymphocytes in the peripheral blood, spleen, bone marrow and CSF. The patient improved after treatment with a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.25keywords = spinal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/35. MRI in subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord: a case report and review of literature.A 56 year old man presented with acute onset posterior column and lateral spinothalamic tract dysfunction over a period of 15 days. MRI showed diffuse hyperintensity on T2WI involving the posterior columns. A diagnosis of subacute combined degeneration (SCD) of the spinal cord was considered and confirmed by laboratory findings. The patient showed complete recovery on B12 therapy. MRI lesion also compeletely resolved.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.25keywords = spinal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/35. Myelopathy during treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anaemia.A specific neurological syndrome resembling, subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord, has been observed to occur during treatment of autoimmune hemolytic anaemia (AHA). We propose that folate administration can precipitate this neurological syndrome in patients with subclinical deficiency of vitamin B12, a phenomenon more likely to occur in tropical countries. Such cases have not been previously reported.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.25keywords = spinal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/35. MRI findings in cobalamin deficiency.A 55 year old male presented 2 years after a jejuno-iliectomy with weakness of all limbs, paraesthesiae, and difficulty in walking. Clinical examination revealed loss of posterior column sensations. Investigations were suggestive of a deficiency of vitamin B12 and folate. MRI showed a band of hyperintensity on T2 image, in the dorsal portion of the spinal cord.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.25keywords = spinal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/35. Spinal MRI supporting myelopathic origin of early symptoms in unsuspected cobalamin deficiency.We report two patients with subjectively progressive sensory symptoms and gait disturbance due to cobalamin deficiency, but only slight or absent abnormalities on neurological examination. In both patients, spinal MRI provided evidence for a myelopathic origin of the symptoms, disclosing characteristic T(2) hyperintense signal alterations confined to the posterior columns of the cervical and thoracic spinal cord. The patients illustrate the early clinical presentation of subacute combined degeneration (SCD) with a sensory neuropathy starting with acroparesthesia and Lhermitte's sign. Furthermore, the diagnostic value of spinal MRI for early diagnosis of SCD with characteristic findings is highlighted.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.75keywords = spinal (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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