Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42699751›Full record

ArticleRadiology case reports2026

Characteristic MRI findings of nitrous oxide-induced subacute combined degeneration despite low-normal vitamin B12 levels.

Bilal Mustaquim, Ashar Ahmed, Mahfujul Z Haque, Masood Siddiqui

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Radiology case reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

4 authors.

Bilal MustaquimCollege of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, 804 Service Rd Suite A112, East Lansing, MI 48821, USA.
Ashar AhmedCollege of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Wayne State University, 4841 Cass Ave, 2155 Old Main, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Mahfujul Z HaqueDepartment of Radiology, Corewell Health, MI18101 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA.
Masood SiddiquiDepartment of Radiology, Corewell Health, MI18101 Oakwood Blvd, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Nitrous oxide misuse is an increasingly recognized cause of functional vitamin B12 deficiency and subacute combined degeneration (SCD) of the spinal cord. We present the case of a 37-year-old man with progressive bilateral extremity weakness, sensory deficits, gait instability, and worsening neuropathic symptoms. Initial laboratory evaluation revealed a low-normal serum vitamin B12 level of 224 pg/mL, which could have delayed recognition of the underlying diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical and thoracic spine demonstrated longitudinally extensive symmetric dorsal column T2 hyperintensity with the characteristic "inverted V sign," findings highly suggestive of SCD. Subsequent history revealed recent recreational nitrous oxide exposure. Treatment with parenteral vitamin B12 supplementation resulted in gradual neurologic improvement. This case highlights the limitations of serum vitamin B12 measurements in identifying functional deficiency and emphasizes the diagnostic value of characteristic MRI findings in patients with nitrous oxide-associated myelopathy. Early recognition and treatment are essential to prevent permanent neurologic injury.

Indexed as

Magnetic resonance imagingMyelopathyNitrous oxideSubacute combined degenerationVitamin B12 deficiency

Identifiers

PMID42699751
PMCPMC13544277

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.