Tropical ataxic neuropathy in Liberians

Tropical ataxic neuropathy (TAN) is reported for the first time from Liberia. It occurred in 2 women, within the child-bearing age from the same family in Sinoe County, Liberia. The family's diet consisted of rice and cassava derivatives. The diagnosis of this condition was made on clinical grounds. The patients had the classical features of this syndrome: bilateral primary optic atrophy, bilateral perceptive deafness, myelopathy and peripheral neuropathy. In Nigeria, chronic cyanide intoxication from cassava derivatives is the etiologic factor. In Liberia the cause is unknown but considering the similarities between the cases reported here and those reported from Nigeria, the etiologic factor operating in both countries may be the same.