J Korean Soc Endocrinol.  2004 Aug;19(4):419-425.

A Case of Thyrotoxic Paraplegia

• Lee GW
• Park JW
• Yoon JS
• Mok JO
• Kim YJ
• Park HK
• Kim CH
• Kim SJ
• Byun DW
• Suh KI
• Yoo MH
• Jeong DS

Abstract

Hyperthyroidism may be associated or present with a variety of neuromuscular disorders, including thyrotoxic myopathy, exophthalmic ophthalmoplegia, periodic paralysis and myasthenia gravis. In contrast to muscle, peripheral nerve involvement in hyperthyroidism is exceedingly rare, and has received little attention. Paraplegia-like weakness during severe hyperthyroidism was first described by Charcot in 1889, and called Basedow's paraplegia' by Joffory in 1894. However, there has been no reported case in Korea. A 38-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of progressive weakness and a gait disturbance. Her endocrinological results were compatible with hyperthyroidism. The polyneuropathy was also confirmed with sequential electrophysiological studies of the nerves and muscles. Drug therapy for hyperthyroidism resulted in resolution of the clinical neurological symptoms and progressive improvement of electrophysiological findings. Hyperthyroidisms are common medical disorders, which are often accompanied by diverse types of neurological and neuromuscular dysfunctions. All of these neurological manifestations are important, as they can serve as important clues to the diagnosis of a thyroid disorder. Furthermore, they are often related to the patient's presenting complaint. Therefore, the physician must be alert to the diverse manifestations of thyroid dysfunction, as they can lead to the diagnosis of potentially serious but treatable disorders. Herein is reported a case of myopathy and neuropathy associated with hyperthyroidism (Basedow's paraplegia), with a review of the literature

MeSH Terms

Adult
Diagnosis
Drug Therapy
Female
Gait
Humans
Hyperthyroidism
Korea
Muscles
Muscular Diseases
Myasthenia Gravis
Neurologic Manifestations
Ophthalmoplegia
Paralysis
Paraplegia*
Peripheral Nerves
Polyneuropathies
Thyroid Gland