Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: clinical analysis of 78 cases from Fortaleza (Northeastern Brazil)

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria

Carlos M. De Castro-costa¹  Reinaldo B. OriÁ¹  JoÃo A. Machado-filho¹  Maria T. G. Franco¹  DÉbora L. O. Diniz¹  SÍlvio D. Giffoni¹  Terezinha J. T. Santos¹  Francisco M. B. Da Cunha¹  Veralice S. De Bruin¹  Carlos A. C. Teixeira¹ 

[1] ,Federal University of Ceará (UFC) University Hospital Department of Physiology and Pharmacology

关键词: ALS;    sporadic;    early-onset;    pain;    anatomy;    symptom accrual;    fasciculations;    ELA;    esporádica;    início precoce;    dor;    anatomia;    avanço dos sintomas;    fasciculações;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0004-282X1999000500006

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

We report on the clinical characteristics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Fortaleza (Northeastern Brazil). For this, we analyzed retrospectively (from 1980 to 1999) 78 cases of ALS from the Service of Neurology of the University Hospital of Fortaleza diagnosed clinically and laboratorially (EMG, muscle biopsy, myelography, blood biochemistry, muscle enzymes and cranio-cervical X-ray). The results showed that they were mostly sporadic ALS (76/78), and they were divided into definite (n= 36), probable (n= 20), possible (n= 15) and suspected (n= 7), according to the level of diagnostic certainty. They were also subdivided into juvenile (n= 17), early-onset adult (n= 18), age-specific (n= 39) and late-onset (n= 4) groups. Clinically, they presented as initials symptoms, principally, asymmetrical (30/78) and symmetrical (24/78) weakness of extremities, besides bulbar signs, fasciculations, and atrophy. Curiously, pain as first symptom occurred in an expressive fashion (17/78). The predominant initial anatomic site, in this series, was the spinal cord, and mainly affecting the arms. As to the symptom accrual from region to region, this occurs more quickly in contiguous areas, and fasciculations are predominant when bulbar region was associated.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
 All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License