Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
3081773 Neuromuscular Disorders 2006 4 Pages PDF
Abstract

Recognizing an ALS-mimic can be challenging. Here, we describe a patient with a slowly progressive dysarthria and dysphagia, with fasciculations of the tongue and general hyperreflexia, fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of ‘clinical probable ALS’. Because of a non-conclusive EMG, a muscle biopsy was performed that surprisingly showed widespread nemaline rods. The clinical features and the histological findings were compatible with a sporadic late onset nemaline myopathy. Three years after initial presentation the patient died and post-mortem examination not only showed nemaline bodies in every muscle examined, but also revealed an unsuspected final diagnosis: sarcoid brainstem encephalitis. Nemaline rods can be found in various disorders, and neurosarcoidosis should be added to this list.

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