Encefalopatía y degeneración subaguda combinada por deficiencia de vitamina B12 / Encephalopathy and combined subacute degeneration due to vitamin B12 deficiency

RESUMEN

Varón de 70 años, diabético, que desconoce a sus familiares, con amnesia transitoria de eventos recientes e inestabilidad en la marcha asociada a caídas frecuentes. Dos años antes, tuvo un episodio depresivo y pérdida progresiva de peso. Seis meses antes de su ingreso, presentó alucinaciones visuales e hipotiroidismo. Pálido, con cuadriparesia espástica. Los estudios mostraron una anemia megaloblástica, con niveles séricos muy bajos de vitamina B12, autoanticuerpos para factor intrínseco, células parietales y antiroideos, atrofia cerebral y compromiso de los cordones posteriores de C1 a D5. Tras dos meses de tratamiento con cianobalamina, el paciente recuperó el 50% de su capacidad cognitiva y motora.

ABSTRACT

A 70 year-old male, diabetic, who failed to recognize his relatives, with temporary amnesia of recent events and instability in gait associated with frequent falls. Two years earlier, he had a major depressive episode and progressive weight loss. Six months before his admission, he presented visual hallucinations and hypothyroidism. Pale, with spastic quadriparesis. The studies showed a megaloblastic anemia, with very low serum levels of vitamin B12, antibodies to intrinsic factor, parietal cells and anthyroid, brain atrophy and cord involvement from C1 to D5. After two months of treatment with cyanocobalamin, the patient recovered 50% of their cognitive and motor ability.