Bernetti Caterina, Cea Laura, Buoso Andrea, Greco Federico, Rossi Mariagrazia, Pilato Fabio, Calandrelli Rosalinda, Di Gennaro Gianfranco, Di Lazzaro Vincenzo, Zobel Bruno Beomonte, Mallio Carlo Augusto
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy.
Research Unit of Radiology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, 00128 Rome, Italy.
Brain Sci. 2025 Sep 10;15(9):972. doi: 10.3390/brainsci15090972.
Subacute combined degeneration (SCD) is a neurological disorder primarily caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. This condition leads to progressive demyelination and axonal damage, predominantly affecting the dorsal and lateral columns of the spinal cord. This review provides a comprehensive overview of SCD, detailing its complex etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation. We highlight the critical role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnostic process, discussing both the characteristic spinal cord findings and the more subtle intracranial abnormalities. Furthermore, we address the diagnostic challenges presented by conditions that mimic SCD in MRI, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We conclude by outlining current treatment pathways and identifying key areas for future research, including the use of advanced neuroimaging techniques and the potential for new therapeutic approaches. This updated synthesis aims to provide a clear framework for clinicians and researchers to better understand and manage SCD.
亚急性联合变性（SCD）是一种主要由维生素B12缺乏引起的神经系统疾病。这种情况会导致进行性脱髓鞘和轴突损伤，主要影响脊髓的后索和侧索。本综述全面概述了SCD，详细阐述了其复杂的病因、病理生理学和临床表现。我们强调磁共振成像（MRI）在诊断过程中的关键作用，讨论了脊髓的特征性表现以及更细微的颅内异常。此外，我们还探讨了在MRI中与SCD相似的疾病（如多发性硬化症（MS）和肌萎缩侧索硬化症（ALS））所带来的诊断挑战。我们通过概述当前的治疗途径并确定未来研究的关键领域来得出结论，包括先进神经成像技术的应用以及新治疗方法的潜力。这一更新后的综述旨在为临床医生和研究人员提供一个清晰的框架，以便更好地理解和管理SCD。
