An unusual case of Wilson's disease

A man of 61 with a 26-year history of progressive cerebellar ataxia was admitted to hospital. He was found to have chronic liver disease and died 22 days after admission. A diagnosis of hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson's disease) was supported by clinical investigations and confirmed at autopsy, when tissue copper studies were performed. Several unusual features were present, including a unilateral Kayser-Fleischer ring, a hepatocellular carcinoma, peripheral neuropathy, pontine demyelination and calcification of neurones in the medulla. The significance of these findings is discussed with a review of the relevant literature.