CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 44, no. 1, 2018

Diagnosis Particularities of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in an Elderly Patient

[Case Report]

I-R. MARCU(1), S. PATRU(1), A.C. BIGHEA(1)


(1)University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation


Abstract:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative motor neuron disease (MND) which prognosis is poor. Early diagnosis permits to set up immediately adapted treatment. Available diagnostic criteria are based on the detection of both central and peripheral motor neuron injury in bulbar, cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. Electrodiagnostic tests are key tools to identify peripheral motor neuron involvement. In the absence of a diagnostic biomarker of ALS, a careful clinical and neurophysiological work-up is essential to rule the differential diagnosis. The study presents the case of a 74 years-old woman who was diagnosed with ALS using clinical examination and electromyography.


Keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, electromyography, diagnosis



Corresponding: Simona Patru, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania, 2-4 Petru Rares St, Craiova, Romania, e-mail: s_patru@yahoo.com


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.44.01.16 - Download PDF
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