Subacute myelo-optic neuropathy (SMON). First neuro-pathological report outside Japan

A 72-year-old Caucasian woman developed degeneration of the spinal cord long tracts, polyneuropathy, and optic atrophy after chronic ingestion of clioquinol (200 mg/day) since she was 45. Diseases with a similar clinical picture, notably vitamin B12 deficiency (B12D), and subacute myelo-optic neuropathy (SMON), are discussed with regard to the pathologic findings. In our patient findings were different from those reported in B12D, but similar to those in SMON. If, as we believe, our patient was suffering from the same disease as the SMON described by Japanese authors, this is the first case reported outside Japan in which pathological verification has been obtained.