Subacute combined degeneration associated with vitamin E deficiency due to small bowel obstruction: A case report
We present a rare case of acute onset SCD that occurred in a relatively short period of several weeks with vitamin E deficiency related to small bowel obstruction.
Patient concerns:
A 50-year-old woman had abdominal pain. A small bowel obstruction was suspected and conservative treatment was performed. She underwent bowel surgery after 2 weeks without any improvement. Following the operation, she was in a state of reduced consciousness. She was treated in an intensive care unit. Her consciousness level gradually recovered to alert in a week, but other symptoms such as ataxia, weakness on limbs, severe dysarthria, and dysphagia occurred. Since then, she had spent nearly 6 weeks in a bed-ridden state without improving.
Diagnosis:
SCD associated with vitamin E deficiency was confirmed by laboratory investigations, electrophysiologic test, and whole spine magnetic resonance imaging scans.
Interventions:
For vitamin E supplementation, she was administered a dose of 1200 mg/d. Physical therapy was focused on strengthening exercise, balance, and walker gait training. Occupational therapy was focused on activities of daily living training and dysphagia rehabilitation.
Outcomes:
After 6 weeks, her muscle strengths and functional level were substantially improved. The vitamin E level was recovered to normal range.
Lessons:
This case suggests that if neurological symptoms occur in patients with intestinal obstruction, clinicians need to consider a deficiency of micronut...
Source: Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Tags: Research Article: Clinical Case Report Source Type: research
More News: Ataxia | Back Pain | Brain | Intensive Care | Internal Medicine | Laboratory Medicine | Lessons | MRI Scan | Neurology | Neurosurgery | Occupational Health | Occupational Therapy | Pain | PET Scan | Physical Therapy | Rehabilitation | Sports Medicine | Training | Universities & Medical Training | Vitamin B12 | Vitamin B12 Deficiency | Vitamin E | Vitamin E Deficiency | Vitamins