Pigment variant of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (Kufs' disease)

A case of pigment variant of Kufs' disease is presented. The nature of the extra-neuronal pigment is discussed. Despite some of the histochemical discrepancies that existed between this pigment and the material that had accumulated in the nerve cells, they seemed to be ultrastructurally related. The hepatocytes contained numerous heterogeneous cytosomes, some of which resembled the storage material of Niemann-Pick's disease. Clinically the syndrome may present with progressive ataxia, spontaneous and reflex, coarse myoclonic jerks and eventual mental deterioration as well as epilepsy and muscle wasting. The pigment variant cannot be distinguished from Kufs' disease except pathologically.