Axonal and demyelinating neuropathy with reversible proximal conduction block, an unusual feature of vitamin B12 deficiency

A F Al-Shubaili; S A Farah; J M Hussein; J V Trontelj; A J Khuraibet

doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199810)21:10<1341::aid-mus18>3.0.co;2-4

Axonal and demyelinating neuropathy with reversible proximal conduction block, an unusual feature of vitamin B12 deficiency

Muscle Nerve. 1998 Oct;21(10):1341-3. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199810)21:10<1341::aid-mus18>3.0.co;2-4.

Authors

A F Al-Shubaili¹, S A Farah, J M Hussein, J V Trontelj, A J Khuraibet

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Ibn Sina Hospital, Safat, Kuwait.

PMID: 9736068
DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199810)21:10<1341::aid-mus18>3.0.co;2-4

Abstract

We report a 35-year-old patient with megaloblastic anemia who presented with features of subacute combined degeneration of the cord. Electrophysiological studies showed features of axonal neuropathy. In addition, there was evidence of prominent focal proximal conduction block in several nerves. After treatment with cyanocobalamin the neuropathy improved, and the peripheral nerve conduction block detected earlier disappeared. Reversible nerve conduction block as a feature of vitamin B12 deficiency in man, to our knowledge, has not been reported in literature, so far.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Axons / physiology*
Demyelinating Diseases / etiology*
Demyelinating Diseases / physiopathology*
Humans
Male
Neural Conduction / drug effects
Neural Conduction / physiology*
Peripheral Nerves / drug effects
Peripheral Nerves / physiopathology
Spinal Cord Diseases / etiology*
Spinal Cord Diseases / physiopathology*
Vitamin B 12 / therapeutic use
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / complications*
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / drug therapy

Substances

Vitamin B 12