SUBACUTE COMBINED DEGENERATION OF THE SPINAL-CORD - MRI DETECTION OF PREFERENTIAL INVOLVEMENT OF THE POSTERIOR COLUMNS IN A CHILD

Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (vitamin B-12-defici ent myelopathy) is a neurologic disorder manifesting progressive sympt oms of paresthesia and spastic paralysis. As shown by pathology, it in itially involves the posterior columns of the thoracic cord. We presen t a case of vitamin B,, deficiency with preferential posterior column involvement of the thoracic cord in a child, Theoretically, this shoul d be the earliest, most reversible stage of the disease, making recogn ition of this MRI pattern of critical importance.