Clinical analysis of 8 cases of subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord and literature review

Objective To explore the clinical characteristic of subacute combined degeneration of spinal cord (SCD) .Meth‐ods We retrospectively analyzed 8 patients with SCD and reviewed the related literature.Results This group of patients in‐cluded 4 males and 4 females.Clinical presentations at onset showed lower limbs weakness or numbness.Four patients were long‐term vegeterians. Three patients were chronic atrophic gastritis. All patients showed posterior columns and peripheral nerve signs.Lateral column involvement was noted in four patients.Brain involvement was noted in two patients.Anemia was found in five patients. The serum VitB12 level was low in four patients. The serum folate level was normal in all pa‐tients.Homocysteine level was elevate in five patients who was conducted this test.Electromyography showed sensory nerve damage and abnormal somatosensory evoked potential.Spinal MRI showed intramedullary abnormal signal in one patient.After the treatment of Vitamin B12 ,all patients received clinical improvement.Conclusion The clinical presentation of SCD is com‐plex. The serum VitB12 level is normal in so me patients. Homoc ysteine level may be a marker of SCD. Analysis of clinical presentation and laboratory examination plays an important role in the diagnosis of SCD. Treatment with VitB12 as early as pos‐sible is necessary.