Encephalo-myelo-radiculo-ganglionitis presenting as pandysautonomia

Neurology. 1991 May;41(5):723-6. doi: 10.1212/wnl.41.5.723.

Abstract

A 68-year-old man developed pandysautonomia with severe orthostatic dysfunction, fixed heart rate, low serum levels of norepinephrine and epinephrine, absent sympathetic skin responses, and pupillary abnormalities. CSF protein was 92 mg/dl. In spite of a good recovery following corticosteroid administration, a relapse occurred, with accompanying sensory symptoms confined to both arms. Fatal sudden cardiac arrest occurred after 4 months. Autopsy revealed numerous lymphocytic infiltrates, predominantly in autonomic and sensory ganglia and, to a lesser extent, in the nerve roots, spinal cord, and brainstem without evidence for an underlying tumor. This case provides histopathologic evidence for an inflammatory etiology of panautonomic neuropathy in some patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Autopsy
  • Brain Stem / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Encephalomyelitis / diagnosis*
  • Encephalomyelitis / pathology
  • Epinephrine / blood
  • Ganglia / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Norepinephrine / blood
  • Radiculopathy / diagnosis*
  • Radiculopathy / pathology
  • Spinal Cord / pathology

Substances

  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine