Concurrence of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with Ribbing's disease

We describe a case of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated with Ribbing's disease. This association has not been previously noted in the literature. The unusual feature of the case was that symptoms coexisted for several years before a correct diagnosis was made. The diagnosis was based on the clinical picture and the result of muscle biopsy and extensive radiographic study. This case serves to illustrate the fact that a separate problem should be considered when the clinical picture is not compatible with the underlying diagnosis.