[Reversible peripheral neuropathy induced by vitamin B12 deficiency].

OBJECTIVE

To describe an electroclinical presentation of a peripheral neuropathy in a patient who suffered from vitamin B12 deficiency.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We report the case of a 56-year-old man who, 17 years after a subtotal gastrectomy, presented with a diffuse sensory-motor demyelinating peripheral neuropathy with multifocal alteration of conduction confirmed by electromyography. Its causal relationship with vitamin B12 deficiency was biologically demonstrated. This neuropathy improved within a few days after intramuscular hydroxocobalamin treatment. Both clinical and electrophysiological signs had totally disappeared 3 months later on.

CONCLUSION

This observation demonstrates that, in spite of its poor outcome reported by several authors, peripheral neuropathy induced by vitamin B12 deficiency can recover completely with substitutive treatment.