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Article: Copper Deficiency Myelopathy (Human Swayback)
- Article from:
- Mayo Clinic Proceedings
- Article date:
- October 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Oct 2006. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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The hematologic manifestations of copper deficiency are well known and include anemia and neutropenia. In the past few years, the neurological manifestations of acquired copper deficiency in humans has been recognized, the most common being a myelopathy presenting with a spastic gait and prominent sensory ataxia. The known causes of acquired copper deficiency include prior gastric surgery, excessive zinc ingestion, and malabsorption; however, often the cause is unclear. Hyperzincemia may be present even in the absence of exogenous zinc ingestion. The clinical features and neuroimaging findings are similar to the subacute combined degeneration seen in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. ...