J Korean Neurol Assoc.
2006 Oct;24(5):503-506.
A Case of Idiopathic Medulla Oblongata and Upper Cervical Cord Atrophy
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Neurology, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea. sslee@chungbuk.ac.kr
Abstract
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Neurodegenerative diseases are featured by progressive cell loss in specific vulnerable neuronal populations of the central nervous system. Spinal cord may undergo atrophic change by degenerative disease. We present a 44-year-old man with slowly progressive left hemiparesis and burning sensation in the feet. He showed markedly increased tendon reflexes and ankle clonus. Serial cervical spine MRI showed only an atrophy of medulla oblongata and upper cervical cord. We suggest that this would be a case of neurodegenerative disease of unknown origin.