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Subject: Re: peripheral neuropathy
Forum: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum
Topic Area:
Posted by CCF Neuro MD on June 21, 1997 at 10:30:22:
In Reply to: peripheral neuropathy posted by Pastorino Roberto on June 11, 1997 at 15:55:44:
: ASK FOR A URGENT SPECIALISTIC MEDICAL ADVICE
I am 50 years old and I have felt first symptons, that is to say loss of muscolar strenght at the arms, on April 1993. In the last 4 years, I have tried a lot of examinations at the "S.Paolo" Hospital of Savona, at the "Galliera" Hospital of Genoa , at the Institute of Neurology "Carlo Besta" of Milan and at the "Neurologische Klinik" of the "UniversitattsSpital " of Zurich such as examination of the cephalic rachidian liquid, toxicological examinations, EMG (electro - miography examination), muscolar TAC, muscolar biopsy, magnetic resonance at the cervical rachis.
The EMG examination, frequently repeated, seams to confirm the PERIPHERAL CRONIC NEUROPATHY of muscles of arms, while the magnetic resonance does not suggest new diagnosis except the sospicious illness of the peripheral motoneuron.
Doctors say thet there are no drugs (in Italy), except the cortisonic theraphy (yet experimented without any successes) and a theraphy with immunity suppressors (like Aziatroprina Welcome) wich I cannot tollerate.
The disease gets on and actually it predjudges the use of my arms and my hands, I have less and less strenght and coordination.
I ask if there are some specialized centers that can treat or at least limite the progression of this form of neuropathy with the atrophy of the muscles of my arms.
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Thanks for any help Roberto Pastorino
dpastori@group.sirio.it
=
Mr Pastorino:What you are describing appears to be a purely or predominantly motor (lower motor neuron - type) affection of the proximal as well as distal upper extremities, progressive over the past 4 years.
There probably is a relative sparing of the lower extremities, and cranial, truncal and respiratory muscles.
The two commonest disease states causing such a picture are cervical spondylosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Fortunately, you seem to be having neither, judging from the appropriate evaluations you have had at several reputable institutions in Europe.
There are numerous other rare causes of your syndrome, including dysimmune, toxic, heredofamilial, and primary muscular conditions, which seem to have been looked into also.
I believe that you are receiving a high standard of medical care at the neurological departments that you have been to.
Unfortunately, several conditions of your type may have only a modest response to treatment, or none.
In case you are still interested in having further evaluations, another intstitution I would recommend in Europe : The National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Queen Square, London, UK. This information is provided for general medical educational purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options of your specific medical condition.
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