Acquired postganglionic cholinergic dysautonomia: case report and review of the literature

An 8-year-old girl with acute abdominal pain had cholinergic autonomic dysfunction. There have been only four patients with acquired postganglionic cholinergic dysautonomia described in the literature. The characteristic clinical features are atony of the bowel and bladder, lack of tears, saliva, and sweat, internal ophthalmoplegia, and normal adrenergic functions. Special studies for autonomic nervous function help in confirming this diagnosis. The exact pathogenesis of the disorder is still not clear. This case demonstrates successful treatment with bethanechol chloride.