Neurologic manifestations of pernicious anemia

Abstract Neurologic alterations form part of the classical manifestations ofmegaloblastic anemias, with pernicious anemia being the prototype.Subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord with involvementof the posterior and lateral columns, axonal or demyelinatingsensorimotor neuropathy, Lhermitte's syndrome, neuropsychiatricmanifestations and degeneration of the autonomic innervation ofthe bladder and the Auerbach and Meissner plexuses being amongthe most important features. Of great importance is the possibleabsence of macrocytosis or even anemia in cases of neurologicmanifestations. Otherwise, the multisegmentation of neutrophils maybe an important indication for the correct diagnosis, particularlywhen the serum levels of vitamin B12 and methylmalonic acid arenot available. Rev. bras. hematol. hemoter. 2008; 30 (2):164-165. Key words: Megaloblastic anemia; neurologic complications. Referencias Bibliograficas 1. Hemmer B, Glocker FX, Schumacher M, et al. Subacute combineddegeneration: clinical, electrophysiological and magneticresonance imaging findings. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1988;65(6):822-7.2. Lindenbaum J, Healton EB, Savage DG,