From the Hair Follicle to the Spinal Cord: Scurvy as a Clue to Nutritional Myelopathy

Abstract

The authors present the case of a 25-year-old man with psychomotor agitation and profound malnutrition, including perifollicular hemorrhage and “corkscrew” hairs - hallmarks of scurvy. Neurologically, he exhibited cerebellar and sensory ataxia, generalized myoclonus, hypotonia, muscle weakness, and thermoalgesic hypoaesthesia of the lower limbs. Complementary imaging and laboratory work-up, identifying several vitamin deficiencies, made the diagnosis of nutritional myelopathy. This case underscores the rare but clinically significant association between scurvy and neurological complications and advocates for a comprehensive nutritional and neurological assessment to guide targeted therapy.