Peripheral neuropathy due to dinitrophenol used for weight loss: something old, something new.

The benzene-based compound 2,4-dinitrophenol was developed in the late 19th century, and was used during World War I for manufacture of explosives. A number of cases of dinitrophenol poisoning were noted in French munitions plant workers. Acute inisxication caused hyperpyrexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; sympisms of subacute exposure included weight loss.

Idiopathic neuropathy: new paradigms, new promise.

Idiopathic neuropathy, now designated as chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP), is a major public health problem in the United States. The disorder affects an estimated 5-8 million Americans, comprising about one-third of patients with neuropathy, based on data from referral centers. Typically, patients develop symptoms in the sixth decade or older.

An unusual case of Miller Fisher syndrome presenting with proptosis and chemosis.

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), a rare variant of Guillan-Barré syndrome, is characterized by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and areflexia. In addition to this classic triad, symptoms may include bulbar palsy, weakness, and sensory loss. The anti-GQ1b IgG antibody is a sensitive and specific marker for MFS; it is found in more than 90% of affected patients.

Reversible nitrous oxide-induced myeloneuropathy with pernicious anemia: case report and literature review.

A previously healthy 27-year-old woman developed a subacute myeloneuropathy after receiving nitrous oxide anesthesia for dental procedures. Neurologic evaluation revealed that she was vitamin B(12) deficient due to underlying pernicious anemia. Discontinuation of nitrous oxide and supplementation with vitamin B(12) resulted in dramatic clinical improvement, with near-complete normalization of her neurologic examination.

Primary lateral sclerosis.

The spectrum of motor neuron diseases ranges from disorders that clinically are limited to lower motor neurons to those that exclusively affect upper motor neurons. Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is the designation for the syndrome of progressive upper motor neuron dysfunction when no other etiology is identified. Distinction between PLS and the more common amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) relies primarily on recognition of their symptoms and signs, as well as on ancillary, although non-specific, laboratory data.

Primary lateral sclerosis: clinical and laboratory features in 25 patients.

Objective: : The objective of this study was to characterize the clinical features and natural history of primary lateral sclerosis (PLS).

Background: : PLS is a motor neuron disorder defined by corticospinal and corticobulbar tract dysfunction without clinically significant lower motor neuron involvement.

Methods: : We collected data from 25 patients with PLS seen in 2 academic neurology departments over a 5-year period.