Myeloneuropathy

Diagnosis […] Myeloneuropathy, chronic, traumatic, probably due to injury of L-4, clinically complete motor wise below L-3 and sensory wise below L-3.

A myeloneuropathy is caused by inactivation of vitamin B₁₂ by nitrous oxide. Patients with borderline vitamin B₁₂ deficiency who undergo anesthesia using nitrous oxide can also have a myeloneuropathy develop but more often megaloblastic anemia develops, whereas the chronic exposure of recreational users is more likely to cause myeloneuropathy without anemia.

Copper deficiency has been associated with a clinical syndrome, myeloneuropathy. Radiographic changes resembling B₁₂ deficiency in the cervical spinal cord have been described. We present a case of copper deficiency myeloneuropathy, with cervical MR imaging findings resembling B₁₂ deficiency, which partially reversed following copper supplementation.

The term tropical myeloneuropathies refers to several syndromes encountered in equatorial countries around the world. The syndromes are manifestations of lesions in the spinal cord and peripheral nerves, separately or together. These disorders have been long-standing public health problems. Some have been traced to specific causes, including infection with HTLV-I, or the chronic ingestion of cassava beans or lathyrogenic agents. Other exogenous toxins may play a role. In the past and perhaps still today, similar syndromes have been ascribed to nutritional deprivation.