[Clinical and pathological study of a case of subacute combined degeneration of the cord with folic acid deficiency (author's transl)].

Clinical and pathological findings in a case of subacute combined degeneration of the cord are described. The patient was a severe alcoholic but there was no vitamin B12 deficiency. Lesions were similar to those observed in Lichtheim's disease. Biological tests demonstrated frank folic acid deficiency, with very low serum and red cells levels. Clinical features included only mild macrocytic anemia, and flexion quadriplegia after a period of disorders of equilibrium. Higher functions were unaffected. Apart from alcoholism, no other toxic or digestive causative factors were found.