Sensory ataxic neuropathy and esophageal achalasia in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome

✍ Scribed by Fabio Poglio; Tiziana Mongini; Dario Cocito

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2007
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 234 KB
• Volume: 35
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0148-639X
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.20716

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

We describe a patient who developed an ataxic sensory syndrome associated with xerophthalmia and progressive dysphagia with regurgitation. Electrophysiological findings were consistent with an axonal sensory neuropathy, and superficial peroneal nerve biopsy showed a reduction in number of myelinated fibers with epineurial inflammation. Rheumatoid factor, anti‐SSA/SSB and antinuclear antibodies were positive and a diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome was made. An endoscopic investigation revealed esophageal achalasia. We suggest that there may be a common autoimmune mechanism directed to different targets on the basis of this rare association. Muscle Nerve, 2007