Funikuläre Myelose

Subacute combined degeneration of the cord (SACD) is caused by vitamin B12 deficiency.

Epidemiology

Most common in patients older than 40 years and especially older than 60 years .

Clinical presentation

The clinical presentation of SACD is usually with loss of vibration and proprioception in the hands and feet, with eventual progression to sensory loss of all modalities, sensory gait ataxia, and distal muscle weakness, especially of the legs. Features of dementia may also become apparent.

Pathology

Etiology

SACD can be a sequelae of any cause of vitamin B12 deficiency. In the developed world where nutrition is generally adequate, it tends to result most commonly from pernicious anemia, but has other causes:

Additionally, although uncommon, strict vegetarians or those who are undernourished may develop sufficient deficiencies to develop SACD.

Markers

Vitamin B12 levels may be normal in up to 30% of patients, and thus looking at levels of other more sensitive and specific biomarkers may be utilized instead:

  • holotranscobalamin or active vitamin B12 (low)
  • methylmalonic acid (high)
  • homocysteine (high)

Radiographic features

MRI

Most commonly there is symmetric bilateral high signal within the dorsal columns. This appearance has been described as the inverted "V" sign . The signal changes typically begin in the upper thoracic region, with ascending or descending progression .

The lateral corticospinal tracts, and sometimes lateral spinothalamic tract may also be involved. Although very unusual, there has been at least one described case of anterior cord involvement . Usually these areas have no contrast enhancement.

Often there is also accompanying cerebral white matter change. Both spinal and cerebral changes resolve after correction of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Treatment and prognosis

Management depends on the cause, but generally patients should be provided with intramuscular hydroxocobalamin injections, followed by oral supplementation. Additionally, patients should avoid using nitrous oxide.

Approximately half of all affected patients will completely recover .

Differential diagnosis

On imaging the differential includes:

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