[A case of primary orthostatic hypotension of the Bradbury-Eggleston type]

A patient with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension not accompanied by other neurologic disorders was examined. Pulmonary function tests demonstrated the failure of the autonomic innervation of airways. A syndrome of chronic primary alveolar hypoventilation was present, with the vocal cord paralysis. The symptoms of neurogenic bladder were also present. While recumbent, the patient had low levels of plasma norepinephrine, that failed to increase after standing and exercising. During Kaplan-Silah test the patient was proved to be supersensitive to intravenously administered norepinephrine and angiotensin. The finding was consistent with the view of peripheral denervation. The syndrome of orthostatic hypotension and other symptoms referable to peripheral autonomic dysfunction, without evidence of central nervous system involvement appears to represent a clinical entity distinct from the Shy-Drager syndrome. It can be defined Bradbury-Eggleston syndrome.