Atypical hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP): the value of direct DNA diagnosis

J Med Genet. 1997 Nov;34(11):889-92. doi: 10.1136/jmg.34.11.889.

Abstract

We report two patients with suspected hereditary liability to pressure palsies. Neurophysiological studies showed a mixed axonal-demyelinating sensory-motor polyneuropathy with focal slowing of conduction velocities at the common sites of entrapment. Morphological studies on sural nerve biopsy from the proband showed active axonal regeneration without typical tomacula. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of a deletion of chromosome 17p11.2 in both patients. Our observation confirms the heterogeneity of hereditary liability to pressure palsies and the relevance of DNA testing for the diagnosis of this hereditary neuropathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17
  • DNA / analysis*
  • Female
  • Genetic Testing
  • Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy / diagnosis
  • Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy / genetics*
  • Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pedigree
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • DNA