[Electroneuromyography and somatosensory evoked potentials in HTLV-I associated myelopathy].

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to correlate electroneuromyography (ENMG) and evoked potentials findings with clinical aspects and intrathecal synthesis of HTLV-I antibodies production on HTLV-I myelopathy (HAM). Patients were seropositive for HTLV-I by different assays and seronegative for HIV and VDRL. They had no other causes of myelopathy and peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy was established in 34.3% of the cases by ENMG. Peripheral neuropathy was mostly asymmetric (82%), sensory motor (90%), axonal (54.5%) or of a mixed type (45.4%). In 63.6% of these cases related symptoms were observed. ABR was abnormal in one patient and the PRVEP in 28.5%, who were symptom-free. The SEP was abnormal in 85.7% of the cases, half of them presenting clinical complaints. In only 14% of the individuals with clinical manifestations, SEP was normal. In 28% of patients with abnormal SEP the ENMG disclosed a peripheral neuropathy.

• Authors: M W Cruz, R B Corrêa, M Puccioni-Sohler, S A Novis
• Journal: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria (Arq Neuropsiquiatr) Vol. 56 Issue 4 Pg. 756-62 (Dec 1998) ISSN: 0004-282X [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Eletroneuromiografia e potenciais evocados somatossensitivos na mielopatia pelo HTLV-I.
• PMID: 10029878 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Albumins
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Albumins (analysis)
• Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins (analysis)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Electromyography
• Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory (physiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic (cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis, physiopathology)