Cliaical Characteristics of Benign Focal Amyotrophy

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 10(4); 1992 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1992;10(4): 447-456.

양성 국소성 근위축증

정근호, 조필자,선우일남,박영관,이상암,김기환,박기덕

국립의료원 신경과. 연세대학교 신경과. 이화여자대학교 내과.

Cliaical Characteristics of Benign Focal Amyotrophy

Keun-Ho Cheong, M.D., Phil-Za Cho, M.D., Il-Nam Sunwoo, M.D., Young-Kwan Park, M.D., Sang-Ahm Lee, M.D., Ki-Whan Kim, M.D., Kee-Duk Park, M.D.

Department of Neurology, National Medical Center, Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Yoensei University, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Ehwa Womans University

Abstract

A discription is given of 24 patients with the benigen focal amyotrophy; Nineteen had upper-limb and five had lower-limb involvement. The characteristic clinca! Features were insidious onset in the second and third decades, male predominance. Sporadic occurance, wasting and weakness confined to one limb, relatively good prognosis and absence of involvement of the cranial nerves, cerebrum, brainstem, and sensory syetem. The nerve conduction studies, electromyographic pattems, somatosensory evoked potential studies, and CTMM or MR findings suggested anterior horn cell disorders. In nine cases we were able to demonstrate focal atrophy in the lower cervical cord limited to the ipsilateral anterior horn region, and two cases segmental cord atrophy in the lower cervical cord in MR or CTMM studies. The benign focal amyotrophy, for which no causes been described, is benign and self-limiting, unlike most motor neuron diseases