Reversible isolated sensory axonal neuropathy due to cobalamin deficiency

Muscle Nerve. 2012 Mar;45(3):428-30. doi: 10.1002/mus.22319.

Abstract

Vitamin B(12) deficiency causes a wide range of hematological, gastrointestinal, and neurological manifestations. The most common neurological complication is subacute combined degeneration, sometimes associated with polyneuropathy. Isolated peripheral neuropathy due to cyanocobalamin deficiency is less frequent, and thus it may be overlooked. We describe 2 patients with isolated sensory axonal neuropathy secondary to vitamin B(12) deficiency who had complete clinical and electrophysiological recovery after cyanocobalamin replacement. Testing for serum vitamin B(12) and its metabolites should be done in any distal symmetric neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neural Conduction / drug effects
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology*
  • Vitamin B 12 / pharmacology
  • Vitamin B 12 / therapeutic use*
  • Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / complications*
  • Vitamin B Complex / pharmacology
  • Vitamin B Complex / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Vitamin B Complex
  • Vitamin B 12