Subacute combined degeneration : report of two cases

Abstract

Subacute combined degeneration ( SCD) due to vitamin B12 deficiency is common in North of Europe but sometimes it is seen in Iran. It can develop before the symptoms of anemia is obvious, with myelin injury and then axon and even neuron destruction in spinal cord, brain, optic and peripheral nerves. In this study two cases are reported; in the first patient, this disease in manifested by vitamin B12 deficiency which is due to a pernicious anemia. In the second patient vitamin B12 deficiency is probably due to malnutrition, however anemia was not observed.