Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39926639›Full record

ArticleClinical case reports2025

Spinal Cord Subacute Combined Degeneration Mimicked by Copper Deficiency: A Case Report.

Zekarias Seifu Ayalew, Mehariw Wondimu Netsere, Matyas Adugna Abebe, Surafel Tilahun Maru, Gebeyehu Tessema Azibte, Aynalem Demsis Biza, Getnet Yigzaw Mossie

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Clinical case reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. The Role and Mechanisms of G protein-coupled receptors in Parkinson's disease.Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Zekarias Seifu AyalewDepartment of Internal Medicine Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6025-8619
Mehariw Wondimu NetsereDepartment of Internal Medicine Saint Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
Matyas Adugna AbebeDepartment of Neurology Bahirdar University Bahirdar Ethiopia.
Surafel Tilahun MaruDepartment of Neurology Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
Gebeyehu Tessema AzibteDepartment of Internal Medicine Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6849-1293
Aynalem Demsis BizaBethel Medical College Addis Ababa Ethiopia.
Getnet Yigzaw MossieDepartment of Internal Medicine Addis Ababa University Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This case report underscores the diagnostic challenge of copper-deficiency myelopathy (CDM) and subacute combined degeneration (SCD) due to their similar clinical presentations. A 32-year-old male farmer initially treated for SCD with normal vitamin B12 levels showed no improvement, leading to a delayed diagnosis of CDM. His symptoms included sensory ataxia, spasticity, and sensory loss in the lower extremities, which resolved with oral copper supplementation. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for CDM, especially in patients who are unresponsive to B12 therapy. This case also highlights that marginal copper deficiency can cause significant neurological symptoms and that early intervention with copper supplementation can lead to full recovery, preventing irreversible damage. It also emphasizes the need for comprehensive testing, including copper levels, in cases of atypical myelopathy to avoid a delayed diagnosis.

Indexed as

dorsal column dysfunctionmyelopathyparaplegiasensory ataxiavitamin B12 deficiency

Identifiers

PMID39926639
PMCPMC11805716

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.