Peripheral Neuropathy (Peripheral Neuritis) with Bronchiectasis by J
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Thorax: first published as 10.1136/thx.13.1.59 on 1 March 1958. Downloaded from Thorax (1958), 13, 59. PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY (PERIPHERAL NEURITIS) WITH BRONCHIECTASIS BY J. E. CAUGHEY, R. F. WILSON, AND JOHN BORRIE From the Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Medical School, Otago University, New Zealand (RECEIVED FOR PUBLICATION OCTOBER 21, 1957) The ill-defined group of conditions comprising ground. The feet and ankles were " oddly stiff and the syndrome of peripheral or multiple neuritis led tight" all the time but most of all on movement. Walshe (1946) to ask for a more precise definition. The ankles, but not the knees, felt weak. At the age of 9 years she had severe pneumonia Elkington (1952) pointed out the advantages of complicated by left basal empyema for which three the new term " peripheral neuropathy," as it avoids drainage operations were performed during nine weeks the suggestion that all the lesions are inflammatory in hospital. A chronic loose paroxysmal cough per- in origin. Haymaker and Kernohan (1949), in a sisted thereafter, commonly productive of muco- comprehensive study of peripheral neuropathy, purulent sputum, more profuse and purulent during found that the clinical picture may range from frequently recurring and prolonged colds, and at the slight lesion with peripheral weakness and times blood-stained. She had frequent attacks of mild paraesthesiae to a grave ascending fatal neuronitis pleural pain. Her ill-health seriously interrupted her involving the central nervous system as seen in education. She was comparatively well in her early adult years, but after marriage she again had increas- the so-called Landry syndrome. They considered ing ill-health. Recurring symptoms of upper respira- that the term " Landry-Guillain-Barre syndrome " tory tract infection troubled her for many years, copyright. should be applied to this group of so-called infec- especially latterly, and required treatment. Nephritis tive polyneuritis. As the syndrome may involve followed an uneventful first pregnancy, with the both the central and the peripheral nervous sys- second there was mild toxaemia, and the third and tems, we prefer the term " neuropathy syndrome," last passed uneventfully. which, in the particular cases described here, refers Effort capacity had not been seriously impaired and http://thorax.bmj.com/ to a bilateral symmetrical affection of the peri- she had been able to bring up her family largely pheral nerves of the limbs. This paper presents without domestic aid. Latterly, there had not been of who with a any significant exacerbation or change in respiratory records two patients presented symptoms. neuropathy and were found to have an associated The patient was a well-developed woman, cheerful bronchiectatic lesion. and co-operative. The fingers were slightly clubbed. The palms and soles were hot and moist. There was CASE RECORDS some flattening and restriction of movement of the CASE 1.-A housewife, aged 35 years, consulted left chest. The trachea was not deviated. The per- one of us (J. E. C.) in August, 1953, on account of cussion note was slightly impaired over the lower part on September 25, 2021 by guest. Protected weakness and paraesthesiae in the feet and hands. of the left side of the chest laterally and posteriorly. Nine months previously, numbness of both big toes Breath sounds over the dull area were fainter than began insidiously and gradually spread to the other elsewhere and were partially masked by medium toes. Some intermittent " pins and needles " felt on crepitations. Sputum amounted to about 2 oz. (60 ml.) the toes became less and less as time passed. Gradu- in a day, and was mucopurulent but not offensive. ally the numbness advanced around the border of An old empyema scar was present over the left ninth the soles of the feet, up to the ankles, and finally up rib posteriorly. the legs to the knees. Sensation in the legs faded Her breath was inoffensive. The teeth were natural off from the knees downwards. When the soles of and in good repair, and her general oral hygiene was the feet were rubbed after a bath, she had "a dis- satisfactory. Nothing of note was found in the tinctly unpleasant feeling." A similar numb feeling alimentary system, and the liver and the spleen were on the finger tips had been present for a month. not palpable. The circulatory system was normal, Writing gave no difficulty, but sewing was clumsy. with a blood pressure of 125/70 mm. Hg. There were episodes of sudden weakness in the hands, In the nervous system the cranial nerves were and she had a tendency to drop things. intact, and there was little objective evidence of Walking became increasingly difficult on account disturbance in the arms and hands. The abdominal of a slapping type of gait, especially on uneven reflexes were brisk. All deep reflexes were surpris- Thorax: first published as 10.1136/thx.13.1.59 on 1 March 1958. Downloaded from 60 J. E. CAUGHEY, R. F. WILSON, and JOHN BORRIE ingly active except for a depressed left ankle jerk. were given three times daily, each containing vitamin Little motor weakness was found in the limbs apart A, 2,500 units; aneurine hydrochloride, 0.5 mg.; ribo- from some reduction of power at the ankles and in flavine, 0.5 mg.; nicotinamide, 7.5 mg.; ascorbic acid. the toes of both feet, and also some loss in the left 15 mg.; and vitamin D, 300 units. After four months' arm at the elbow, wrist, and fingers. The sensory treatment cyanocobalamin was discontinued. changes were significant, for there was loss of all On September 30, 1953, the bronchiectatic left modalities in the finger tips and partial loss of vibration lower lobe and lingular segments were resected sense up to the wrists. In the feet and lower thirds (J. B.). Both were firmly bound down by vascular of the legs vibration sense was absent and there was adhesions. Convalescence was prolonged. A post- marked loss of light touch, pain, temperature sense, operative haematoma which developed on October and two-point discrimination. Sense of position, 6, 1953, was first treated by varidase and aspiration joint sense, and stereognosis were unimpaired every- of blood-stained fluid. As it became infected with where and there was no ataxia. Tone was diminished coagulase-positive staphylococci resistant to penicillin, in both upper limbs but was unimpaired in the lower. streptomycin, chlortetracycline, and oxytetracycline, The following investigations were carried out: and sensitive only to chloramphenicol, it was surgic- Radiographs.-The chest radiograph showed a de- ally evacuated on October 21, 1953, and treated by formed left ninth rib posteriorly with cross union to tube drainage until February 24, 1954, when she was the eighth rib. The trachea was not deviated, discharged home. On October 14, 1954, the chest although the heart was over to the left, the left hemi- wall sinus was reopened and a small chronic empyema diaphragm was considerably raised, and the left pocket was unroofed. The patient was finally dis- costophrenic angle was obliterated. Markings of the charged well on February 9, 1955, and since then has basal segments of the left lower lobe were concen- been in good health. trated in a manner consistent with collapse. Several Pathological Report on Resected Specimen.-The small calcified foci were present towards the apices of specimen consisted of the left lower lobe and lingu- both lungs. lar segment of the left upper lobe. The overlying Bronchograms.-On the left side complete and pleura was shaggy and had been the site of wide- satisfactory filling was obtained. Bronchiectatic spread adhesions. The cut surface showed bronchi- changes of an advanced degree involved all broncho- ectasis of the lower lobe with surrounding emphysema. pulmonary segments of the left lower lobe, except the Histological examination revealed dilated bronchicopyright. apical segment, and also the lingular segment of the lined by a single layer of columnar cells or by left upper lobe. The remaining bronchopulmonary normal respiratory epithelium. The bronchial walls segments of the upper lobe appeared to be normal. consisted of varying amounts of granulation tissue Filling of the right bronchial tree was complete and and fibrous tissue infiltrated with lymphocytes, plasma satisfactory. No abnormality of any of the right cells, eosinophils, and a few neutrophils. Some of http://thorax.bmj.com/ bronchopulmonary segments was demonstrated. these scarred areas contained remnants of muscle, Radiographs of the nasal sinuses showed inflamma- elastic tissue, cartilage, and mucous glands, but in tory changes in the left maxillary antrum, but were many bronchi the structure had disappeared. Inter- otherwise normal. stitial fibrosis was marked and the neighbouring Bacteriological Examinations.-The sputum gave a alveoli were lined by cubical cells and contained an light growth of Micrococcus catarrhalis, coagulase- inflammatory exudate of mononuclear cells. Areas negative staphylococci, and pneumococci, all being of emphysema were also present. penicillin resistant but sensitive to streptomycin, The appearances were those of bronchiectasis and and bronchopneumonia. chlortetracycline, chloramphenicol, oxytetra- on September 25, 2021 by guest. Protected cycline. Some polymorphs and epithelial cells were Progress of Peripheral Neuritis.-On January 28, seen on direct examination. 1954, there was still some difficulty in walking and Pus from the left maxillary antrum contained a few slight ataxia. All arm reflexes were brisker than aver- colonies of H. influenzae and diphtheroids, sensitive age. The knee jerks were of average briskness, the to penicillin, streptomycin, chlortetracycline, chlor- ankle jerks absent, and the plantar responses flexor. amphenicol, and oxytetracycline. Sensation was impaired in the lower limbs. Light The cerebrospinal fluid was under normal pressure touch was absent over the feet. Appreciation of pin- and slightly opalescent. There were no cells. The prick was decreased, and the calves were tender.