Idiopathic hypoparathyroidism with impaired vitamin B 12 absorption and neuropathy.

A 68-year-old man presenting with chronic intermittent diarrhea and progressive ataxia was found to have idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. Intrinsic factor-resistant vitamin B(12) malabsorption was demonstrated. Both the diarrhea and vitamin malabsorption were reversed by correction of hypocalcemia.His neurological profile was a combination of peripheral nerve, posterior column and cerebellar deficits. He had calcifications in the dentate nuclei of the cerebellum. Possible etiological factors such as vitamin B(12) deficiency, folic acid deficiency and steatorrhea have been excluded. Posterior column and cerebellar abnormalities improved with treatment. It is postulated that hypocalcemia causes functional, reversible spinal cord and cerebellar dysfunction.