White matter disorder due to vitamin B12 deficiency

Definition

MRI scan may show extensive white matter change which can become confluent with disease progression culminating in leucoencephalopathy. Symmetric T2-hyperintensity within the dorsal column of spinal cord is commonly seen in subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord patients with a linear pattern in the cervical spine and a nodular pattern in the thoracic spine. The pathological changes of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord include spongy change with focal loss of myelin and axonal destruction in the white matter of the spinal cord particularly affecting posterior and lateral columns of the cervical and upper thoracic spinal cord.

Index Terms