Subacute combined degeneration due to copper deficiency.

There is growing clinical evidence supporting a connection between copper deficiency and subacute combined degeneration. While nearly half of patients with copper deficiency myelopathy exhibit MRI abnormalities, signal changes are often ill-defined in distribution. We report a patient with sensory ataxia and spastic paraplegia from copper deficiency whose MRI demonstrates abnormal signal restricted to the dorsal and lateral columns, providing clear radiological support of an association between hypocupremia and combined system degeneration.

Duke Scholars

Author Edward Wayne Massey Neurology, General & Community Neurology

Author Mark Brian Skeen Neurology, MS & Neuroimmunology

Author Linda Gray Leithe Radiology, Neuroradiology