NEUROPATHOLOGY OF SUBACUTE MYELO-OPTICO-NEUROPATHY, “SMON”

Abstract

Neuropathology of 14 autopsy cases of acute to chronic “SMON” of different ages has been investigated. It was compared with already-known neurological disorders, particularly systemic and/or pseudosystemic degeneration of long tracts of the spinal cord with polyneuropathy. It has been concluded that “ SMON ” may belong to a subgroup of some endemic disease within the main group of combined degeneration associated with complex nutritional deficiency or toxic interference of tissue metabolism. Eleven of 14 autopsy cases presented here had history of pretty large amount of chinoform uptake, and the close relation between the mode and amount of chinoform administered and “SMON” onset was discussed.