Study on the Vitamin B12 deficiency in 32 patients with subacute combined degeneration
WANG Zhi-ye
TAN You-fen
Abstract：Objective To explore the clinical nenrological manifestation of subacute combined degeneration (SCD) in 32 cases. Methods The serum levels of Vitamin B12(Vit B12) and folic acid were measured,the nerve conduction (NCV) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) in spinal cord were examined respectively. The neurological function was investigated in all cases. Results The serum level of Vit B12 decreased in 15 cases but showed normal level in 17 cases. NCV were reduced. The high signal intensity in dorsal columns of spinal cord in MRI was found in 4 cases. After 3 to 6 months of treatment,27 patients got their symptom relieved,and 5 got partly improved. Four cases got improvement on urination and defecation;5 cases on glossitis and 8 cases on anemia. Five cases had not obvious improvement on limb mobility due to a course longer than one year. Conclusion Vit B12 deficiency is an important pathogenic factor in SCD and SCD should be diagnosed with clinical feature and neurological manifestation. Early diagnosis and treatment remain important in preventing permanent damage.
Keywords：Subacute combined degenerationVitamin B12 deficiency
Publication Date：2011-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2026-09-14(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)