Pyridoxine neuropathy. A four-year electrophysiological and clinical follow-up of a severe case

Acta Neurol (Napoli). 1991 Feb;13(1):13-8.

Abstract

In a 54-year-old male a severe sensory neuropathy was observed during treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis with isoniazid (400 mg/day) and pyridoxine (600 mg/day). Eight months after withdrawal from isoniazid the sensory symptomatology was still progressing, although muscle strength was never reduced. A sural nerve biopsy revealed marked loss of large myelinated fibres. Only when pyridoxine treatment was interrupted did a slow improvement begin. A clinical and electrophysiologic follow-up showed a very slow and still incomplete recovery after four years. The possibility of an unusual individual susceptibility to toxic effects of pyridoxine is considered.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Electrophysiology
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Nervous System Diseases / pathology
  • Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Pyridoxine / adverse effects*
  • Sural Nerve / pathology

Substances

  • Pyridoxine