TITLE:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) about 2 Observations in the Neurology Department of the University Hospital of Cocody
AUTHORS:
Constance Yapo-Ehounoud, Evelyne Aka-Anghui-Diarra, Muriel Amon-Tanoh, Berthe Assi, Ange-Eric Kouamé-Assouan, Christian Tanoh, Elisée Bony Kotchi
KEYWORDS:
Diagnosis, ALS, Support
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.2 No.10,
October
20,
2015
ABSTRACT: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare but serious
neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscular paralysis
without overall achievement of higher functions, resulting from motor neuron
destruction. The present study reports two cases of elderly female patients
aged 45 and 54 years, respectively, allowed for a progressive motor deficit of
4 members. Neurological examination found a spastic pyramidal syndrome and a
neurogenic syndrome device of 4 members without sensory syndrome. The ENMG
revealed a pure motor neurogenic compatible with involvement of the anterior
horn of the spinal cord, holding the ALS diagnosis. The standard radiography
and cervical MRI were normal. These patients received analgesics, nursing,
physiotherapy and psychotherapy. Then they were lost. ALS is a rare disease
(incidence: 1.25%). Our patients, with a mean age of 54.5 years, showed
clinical and laboratory signs associated with them classically encountered. The
diagnosis is suspected in a spastic pyramidal syndrome and neurogenic
peripheral syndrome of 4 members but not eliminate cervical spondylotic
myelopathy one. The ENMG confirms it. Although the treatment is disappointing, it’s
based on the riluzole and palliative care, but the evolution is inexorably
toward death.