Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1601323
Acute Sensory Neuronopathy following Enterovirus Infection in a 3-Year-Old Girl
Publication History
03 January 2017
15 February 2017
Publication Date:
23 March 2017 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/neuropediatrics/201703/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1055-s-0037-1601323_171621sc-1.jpg)
Abstract
Acute sensory neuronopathy (SNN) is a rapidly developing peripheral nervous system disease that primarily affects sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglion or trigeminal ganglion, leading to the impairment of sensory axons. SNN is notably uncommon in childhood; only three cases of childhood or adolescent SNN have been reported to date. Moreover, SSN has never been reported in association with enterovirus infection. Here, we report the case of a 3-year-old girl who was initially diagnosed with enterovirus infection based on the presentation of fevers, rashes on all extremities, and ulceration over the posterior pharynx. Nine days later, she presented with ataxic and wide-based gait and dysmetria affecting the extremities, with an absence of sensory nerve action potentials in the upper and lower limbs. The patient was diagnosed with acute SNN based on the criteria developed by Camdessanché et al in 2009. To our knowledge, this is the youngest case of SNN reported to date. In addition, this case reveals that enterovirus infection can be associated with acute SNN in children in rare cases. Accurate diagnosis relies on clinical suspicion, comprehensive knowledge of the patient's history, and careful characterization of abnormal findings in electrodiagnostic studies.
-
References
- 1 Sterman AB, Schaumburg HH, Asbury AK. The acute sensory neuronopathy syndrome: a distinct clinical entity. Ann Neurol 1980; 7 (4) 354-358
- 2 Damasceno A, França Jr MC, Nucci A. Chronic acquired sensory neuron diseases. Eur J Neurol 2008; 15 (12) 1400-1405
- 3 Tan IL, Brew BJ. Possible JCV granular cell neuronopathy in a patient with HIV infection. Neurology 2009; 73 (19) 1598-1599
- 4 Bang MS, Han TR, Lim JY. Acute sensory neuronopathy: identified with electrodiagnosis and magnetic resonance imaging. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 1998; 77 (6) 494-497
- 5 Fernández JM, Dávalos A, Ferrer I, Cervera C, Codina A, Ochoa JL. Acute sensory neuronopathy: report of a child with remarkable clinical recovery. Neurology 1994; 44 (4) 762-764
- 6 Knazan M, Bohlega S, Berry K, Eisen A. Acute sensory neuronopathy with preserved SEPs and long-latency reflexes. Muscle Nerve 1990; 13 (5) 381-384
- 7 Camdessanché JP, Jousserand G, Ferraud K , et al. The pattern and diagnostic criteria of sensory neuronopathy: a case-control study. Brain 2009; 132 (Pt 7): 1723-1733
- 8 Huang CC, Liu CC, Chang YC, Chen CY, Wang ST, Yeh TF. Neurologic complications in children with enterovirus 71 infection. N Engl J Med 1999; 341 (13) 936-942
- 9 Sghirlanzoni A, Pareyson D, Lauria G. Sensory neuron diseases. Lancet Neurol 2005; 4 (6) 349-361
- 10 França Jr MC, D'Abreu A, Zanardi VA , et al. MRI shows dorsal lesions and spinal cord atrophy in chronic sensory neuronopathies. J Neuroimaging 2008; 18 (2) 168-172
- 11 Lauria G, Pareyson D, Grisoli M, Sghirlanzoni A. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings in chronic sensory ganglionopathies. Ann Neurol 2000; 47 (1) 104-109
- 12 Mori K, Koike H, Misu K, Hattori N, Ichimura M, Sobue G. Spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates sensory neuronal involvement and clinical severity in neuronopathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2001; 71 (4) 488-492
- 13 Chen WH, Yeh JH, Chiu HC. Plasmapheresis in the treatment of ataxic sensory neuropathy associated with Sjögren's syndrome. Eur Neurol 2001; 45 (4) 270-274
- 14 Zuberbuhler P, Young P, León Cejas LV , et al. [Sensory neuronopathy. Its recognition and early treatment]. Medicina (B Aires) 2015; 75 (5) 297-302
- 15 Antoine JC, Robert-Varvat F, Maisonobe T , et al; French Neuromuscular Network FILNEMUS. Identifying a therapeutic window in acute and subacute inflammatory sensory neuronopathies. J Neurol Sci 2016; 361: 187-191