ABSTRACT
In this clinicopathological conference we discuss the case of a patient aged 49 years, who developed progressive clinical picture characterized by palatal tremor (PT), segmental myoclonus, cerebellar ataxia, parkinsonism, amyotrophy, pyramidal signs, supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, parkinsonism and cognitive decline. He died 10 years after onset. There was no family history of ataxia. Initially a diagnosis of cerebral Whipple's disease was given, but prolonged treatment with ampicilin and cloramfenicol did not modify the clinical course. Magnetic resonance imaging study showed cerebellar and brainstem atrophy. Electrophysiological examination revealed neurogenic electromyographic pattern and abnormal somatosensory and brainstem evoked potentials. Starting from symptomatic PT, as the guide sign, a presumptive pathological diagnosis of sporadic olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) was established, probably of multiple system atrophy (MSA) type. Neuropathological study demonstrated OPCA with preferential involvement of cerebellum but without glial inclusions. This case illustrates the great clinicopathological complexity of OPCA and that not all forms of sporadic OPCA may be included within MSA.
Subject(s)
Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies/diagnosis , Ataxia/etiology , Cerebellum/pathology , Dementia/diagnosis , Dementia/physiopathology , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Myoclonus/etiology , Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies/pathology , Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies/physiopathology , Parkinsonian Disorders/diagnosis , Parkinsonian Disorders/physiopathology , Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive/physiopathology , Tremor/etiologyABSTRACT
En esta sesión clinicopatológica se discute el caso de un paciente que a los 49 años desarrolló un cuadro clínico progresivo caracterizado por temblor palatino (TP), mioclono segmentario, ataxia, parkinsonismo, amiotrofia, piramidalismo, oftalmoplejía supranuclear y trastornos conductuales. El paciente falleció a los 10 años del inicio sintomático. No existían antecedentes familiares de ataxia. Inicialmente se sospechó que el síndrome se debía a una enfermedad de Whipple cerebral, lo que motivó un tratamiento prolongado con ampicilina y cloramfenicol que no modificó el curso clínico. El examen de resonancia magnética puso de manifiesto atrofia del cerebelo y tronco cerebral. Los estudios neurofisiológicos demostraron un electromiograma neurógeno y alteración de los potenciales evocados somatosensoriales y de tronco cerebral. Tomando como síntoma guía el TP sintomático, se establece una sospecha diagnóstica de atrofia olivopontocerebelosa (AOPC) esporádica, probablemente del tipo de la atrofia multisistémica (AMS). El estudio neuropatológico demostró una AOPC con afección preferente del cerebelo, pero sin inclusiones gliales. Este caso ilustra la complejidad clinicopatológica de la AOPC y que no todas las formas esporádicas de AOPC son equiparables con la AMS (AU)
Subject(s)
Middle Aged , Male , Humans , Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive , Tremor , Myoclonus , Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies , Parkinsonian Disorders , Ataxia , Cerebellum , Dementia , Diagnosis, Differential , Magnetic Resonance ImagingABSTRACT
A Spanish family with X linked dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMTX1) neuropathy was screened for point mutations in the connexin32 gene (GJ beta 1). The patients showed a C-T transition at position 552 which predicts arginine to tryptophan substitution at amino acid 164 (R164K). This mutation destroys an AciI restriction site at position 552 and creates a PflMI restriction site.
