Funicular myelosis is a spinal cord disease that affects its posterior lateral cords. In most cases, the disease occurs together with perinzic anemia. Most often, combined degeneration is an alternative name for the disease - it is diagnosed in people over forty years of age. Small disease patients are much less likely to get sick.
Causes of funicular myelosis
The main cause of combined sclerosis - this is another common alternative name for the disease - is an acute shortage of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the body.
Cyanocobalamin comes with food. For its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract meets the internal factor of Castle. The latter is produced by the glands located on the gastric mucosa. Accordingly, if the glands cease to function properly, vitamin B12 does not have the ability to be absorbed.
Predisposing to the syndrome of funicular myelosis factors are:
- Achilles gastritis;
- diphyllobothriasis;
- gastroectomy;
- celiac disease;
- Crohn's disease;
- tuberculosis enteritis;
- Pellagra;
- malabsorption syndrome;
- diverticulosis of the intestine.
Since very often patients with funicular myelosis are diagnosed with autoimmune diseases, there is reason to believe that discord in the immune system may also lead to a deficiency of cyanocobalamin.
Symptoms of funicular myelosis
This ailment has several characteristic features. Among them:
- muscular hypotension;
- Disorders in the work of the pelvic organs;
- flaccid paresis;
- weakness in the legs ;
- ataxia (impaired coordination);
- numbness of limbs;
- sensation of tingling in the hands and feet;
- increased tendon reflex.
Diagnosis and treatment of funicular myelosis
To find a combination of degeneration, a specialist is not enough to listen to complaints. Diagnostics includes:
- examination of the stomach;
- a complete clinical blood test (to find out the degree of anemia and lack of vitamin B12);
- differential diagnostics;
- research of the organism for the presence of hidden infections.
Treatment of funicular myelosis should be aimed at eliminating the cause that led to its appearance:
- To restore the level of cyanocobalamin it is injected in large doses.
- Folic acid is prescribed to patients 5-15 mg per day.
- With increased muscle tone, it is recommended to drink Baclofen, Midokalm , Seduxen.