Magnetic resonance imaging findings within the posterior and lateral columns of the spinal cord extended from the medulla oblongata to the thoracic spine in a woman with subacute combined degeneration without hematologic disorders: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord is a rare cause of demyelination of the dorsal and lateral columns of the spinal cord and is a neurological complication of vitamin B12 deficiency. Subacute combined degeneration without anemia or macrocytosis is rare. Case presentation: We present a case of cobalamin deficiency in a 29-year-old Moroccan woman who presented with subacute combined degeneration without evidence of anemia or macrocytosis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord demonstrated abnormal hyperintense signal changes on T2-weighted imaging of the posterior and lateral columns from the medulla oblongata to the thoracic spine. A diagnosis of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord was considered and confirmed by low serum cobalamin. The patient was treated with vitamin B 12 supplements and showed improvement in her clinical symptoms. Conclusion: Physicians should diagnose subacute combined degeneration in patients early by having a high index of suspicion and using diagnostic tools such as magnetic resonance imaging. © 2011 Rabhi et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.