Mielopatía cervical por déficit de cobre secundario a sobrecarga de zinc dental. A propósito de un caso

We present the case of a 68-year-old man with progressive brachial and crural hypoaesthesia with gait ataxia suggesting subacute myelopathy of the posterior cords, demonstrated by MRI. After blood tests, a diagnosis of copper deficiency was made following zinc intoxication, secondary to the use of denture glue containing zinc. Treatment was started with copper and the dental glue was removed. Rehabilitation treatment was started with physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and occupational therapy. Functional improvement was achieved, going from an ASIA D level C4 to an ASIA D level C7 spinal cord injury. Copper levels should be studied in all non-compressive myelopathies of subacute onset if there is clear involvement of the posterior cords. Copper deficiency in analysis would establish the diagnosis. Rehabilitative treatment, supplementary copper supplementation and zinc withdrawal are essential to prevent irreversible neurological damage.