Skip to main content
Log in

Peripheral neuropathy as the presenting feature of multiple system atrophy

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Clinical Autonomic Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The authors report a case of multiple system atrophy (MSA) with an onset as a peripheral nerve involvement. Their patient, a 55-year-old man, had a 3-year history of distal weakness and atrophy in upper limbs with dysesthesia in the feet. Other identifiable causes of peripheral neuropathy were ruled out. The authors postulate that peripheral nervous system impairment can anticipate the typical appearance of MSA, and they suggest that, in peripheral neuropathies with autonomic system dysfunction, after excluding main causes of autonomic neuropathy, MSA may need to be suspected.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mathias CJ, Bannister R. Autonomic failure. In:A textbook of clinical disorders of the autonomic nervous system. 4th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1999. pp. 308–316.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Schultz JB, Klockgether T, Petersen D,et al. Multiple system atrophy: natural history, MRI morphology and dopamine receptor imaging with 123IBZM-SPECT.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1994; 57(9):1047–1056.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Wenning GK, Ben-Shlomo Y, Magales M,et al. Clinical features and natural history of multiple system atrophy: an analysis of 100 cases.Brain 1994; 117:835–845.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Gilman S, Low P, Quinn N,et al. Consensus statement on the diagnosis of multiple system atrophy.Clin Auton Res 1998; 8:359–362.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Vita G, Princi P, Calabrò R,et al. Cardiovascular reflex tests: assessment of age-adjusted normal range.J Neurol Sci 1986; 75:263–274.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Guindi GM, Bannister R, Gibson WBR,et al. Laryngeal electromyography in multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1981; 44:49–53.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Williams A, Hanson D, Calne DB. Vocal cord paralysis in the Shy-Drager syndrome.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1979; 42: 151–153.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Pramsteller PP, Wenning GK, Smith SJM,et al. Nerve conduction studies, skeletal muscle EMG, and sphincter EMG in multiple system atrophy.J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1995; 58:618–621.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Galassi G, Nemni R, Baraldi A,et al. Peripheral neuropathy in multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure.Neurology 1982; 32:1116–1121.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carmelo Rodolico M.D..

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rodolico, C., Toscano, A., De Luca, G. et al. Peripheral neuropathy as the presenting feature of multiple system atrophy. Clinical Autonomic Research 11, 119–121 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02322056

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02322056

Key words

Navigation