[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis syndrome and hyperthyroidism. Cure with antithyroid drugs]

We report the case of a 62-year old man presenting with generalized muscular weakness, amyotrophy, dysarthria and dysphagia. Neurological examination showed bilateral pyramidal signs and lingual fasciculations. The clinical diagnosis was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, since only shivers and weight loss pointed to hyperthyroidism. However, after several months the patient developed typical manifestations of hyperthyroidism. After treatment of hyperthyroidism, the neurological symptoms disappeared. Although this association is extremely rare, one must have in mind the possibility of thyroid dysfunction when studying patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.