Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis combined with Hashimoto's thyroiditis : A case report

하시모토 갑상선염을 동반한 근위축성 측삭경화증 1예

  • Ko, Yung-Chai (Department of Neurology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon Medical College) ;
  • Kang, Sung-Soo (Department of Neurology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon Medical College) ;
  • Lee, Young-Bae (Department of Neurology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon Medical College) ;
  • Park, Hyeon-Mi (Department of Neurology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon Medical College) ;
  • Shin, Dong-Jin (Department of Neurology, Gil Medical Center, Gachon Medical College)
  • 고영채 (가천의대부속 길병원 신경과학교실) ;
  • 강성수 (가천의대부속 길병원 신경과학교실) ;
  • 이영배 (가천의대부속 길병원 신경과학교실) ;
  • 박현미 (가천의대부속 길병원 신경과학교실) ;
  • 신동진 (가천의대부속 길병원 신경과학교실)
  • Published : 2001.07.30

Abstract

Although the etiology and pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) is unknown, increasing evidence supports a role for autoimmune mechanisms in motor neuron degeneration. The coexistence of immune disease in ALS supports that an altered immune system may contribute to disease pathogenesis. A 55-year-old woman was admitted to our department due to dysarthria and gait disturbance. On physical and neurologic examination, she showed thyroid enlargement, tongue atrophy, muscle weakness, fasciculation, and increased deep tendon reflex. The electrophysiological studies are compatible with motor neuron disease. Cytological findings of thyroid were compatible with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Thus, we report a case of ALS combined with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. And the simultaneous presentation with ALS and Hashimoto's thyroiditis led us to consider whether this was simply a chance association or not.

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