Neurológia pre prax 6/2025
Vitamin B12 deficiency – a case report of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord in comparison with NMOSD
Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord arises due to vitamin B12 deficiency and belongs to the differential diagnosis of spinal cord lesions. In addition to involvement of the spinal cord tracts, vitamin B12 deficiency can also lead to lesions of the peripheral nerves, optic nerves and brain. Furthermore, vitamin B12 deficiency may manifest with hematological and gastrointestinal disorders. Given the findings on spinal cord MRI, demyelinating diseases, including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), should be considered in the differential diagnosis. In cases of spinal cord lesions, a careful diagnostic evaluation and numerous paraclinical examinations are necessary. We present a case report of a severe form of subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord in a young patient without a risk history.
Keywords: vitamin B12, spinal cord lesion, subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord, demyelinating disease
