Nitrous Oxide Abuse‐Induced Subacute Combined Degeneration: Classic Neuroimaging Findings on MRI

Abstract

Subacute combined degeneration is uncommonly a result of nitrous oxide abuse and presents with high signal in the dorsal columns of the spinal cord on T2-weighted MR imaging. We present a case of subacute combined degeneration in a young patient who abused nitrous oxide, which is an uncommon cause and infrequently seen in this patient population. Symptoms are often reversible with treatment of vitamin B12, and radiologists should be aware of these findings to avoid delay in treatment.