1. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: clinical analysis of 78 cases from Fortaleza (Northeastern Brazil)
- Author
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CASTRO-COSTA CARLOS M. DE, ORIÁ REINALDO B., MACHADO-FILHO JOÃO A., FRANCO MARIA T. G., DINIZ DÉBORA L. O., GIFFONI SÍLVIO D., SANTOS TEREZINHA J. T., CUNHA FRANCISCO M. B. DA, BRUIN VERALICE S. DE, and TEIXEIRA CARLOS A. C.
- Subjects
ALS ,sporadic ,early-onset ,pain ,anatomy ,symptom accrual ,fasciculations ,Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry ,RC321-571 - Abstract
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.
- Published
- 1999