Subacute Spinal Cord Degeneration Presented with Cerebellar Tiger Stripes: A Case Report

Zhao Y1, Chang M1*, Qiao L3, Zhang G1 and Zhao S2

1Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an No. 3 Hospital, China
2Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, China
3Department of Anesthesiology, Xi’an No.5 Hospital, China

^*Correspondance to: Mingze Chang 

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Abstract:

Background: Subacute combined spinal cord degeneration is a nervous system degenerative disorder caused by vitamin B12 deficiency in the body, typically involving the posterior and lateral cords of the spinal cord, as well as peripheral nerves, optic nerves, and brain, but is uncommon in patients with cerebellar tiger stripes and increased cerebrospinal fluid protein. Case Report: A 47-year-old man presented with progressive gait disturbance, tingling of hands and feet, and progressive memory impairment for 4 weeks. T1-Weighted Imaging (T1WI) showed a hypointense signal with stripes and other slightly hypointense signals. T2-Weighted Imaging (T2WI), Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) showed an overall hyperintense signal with stripes and other hypointense signals (tiger stripes sign). The cervical spinal cord showed signal changes in the posterior column on T2-weighted MRI scans. After three weeks of vitamin B12 therapy, the patient's clinical symptoms, signs, imaging abnormalities, and elevated cerebrospinal fluid proteins recovered. To facilitate early identification and treatment, we reported a case of spinal cord injury combined with a typical "tiger stripes" sign due to vitamin B12 deficiency to achieve a good prognosis. Conclusion: We present a case of spinal cord injury combined with a typical "tiger stripes" sign and increased cerebrospinal fluid protein due to vitamin B12 insufficiency. Despite its rarity, vitamin B12 deficiency needs to be considered as one of the etiologies in patients with clinically manifest cerebellar ataxia for early diagnosis and prompt treatment to improve patient outcomes.

Keywords:

B12 vitamin deficiency; Tiger stripes; Cerebellum; Combined degeneration of the subacute

Cite the Article:

Zhao Y, Chang M, Qiao L, Zhang G, Zhao S. Subacute Spinal Cord Degeneration Presented with Cerebellar Tiger Stripes: A Case Report. Ann Clin Case Rep. 2023; 8: 2543..