A Case of Brachial Amyotrophic Diplegia: a Variant of Motor Neuron Disease

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2007;9(2):148-152.
Published online May 10, 2007.

Abstract

We present a case of a 72-year old woman with atrophy of bilateral upper extremities. The clinical findings showed symmetric, predominantly proximal muscle weakness in upper extremity. There were no evidence of bulbar signs or weakness of lower extremities, so she was preserved with independent ambulation. The electrodiagnostic findings showed that compound muscle action potential (CMAP)s were decreased in both median, ulnar nerves and abnormal spontaneous activities were observed in atrophic muscles. The clinical and electrodiagnostic findings were compatible with the lower motor neuron disease, and clinically brachial amyotrophic diplegia was suspected. Distingushing the brachial amyotrophic diplegia with good prognosis from the other motor neuron disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with poor prognosis is essential. Here we report a patient with brachial amyotrophic diplegia with reviews of clinical findings.

Key Words: Brachial amyotrophic diplegia, Motor neuron disease, Electrodiagnosis