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Autonomic hyperreflexia in pure progressive autonomic failure: a case report
1First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, Japan.
Neurology
|September 1, 1993
Summary
This study describes a rare case of paroxysmal autonomic hyperreflexia in a patient with progressive autonomic failure. The patient experienced episodes of fever, hypertension, and other symptoms linked to high catecholamine levels.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Autonomic Nervous System Disorders
Background:
- Progressive autonomic failure is a group of debilitating neurological disorders.
- Autonomic hyperreflexia is a potentially life-threatening condition typically seen in spinal cord injury.
- This case explores a rare presentation in the absence of spinal cord injury.
Observation:
- A 60-year-old woman presented with recurrent episodes of fever, hypertension, facial flushing, vomiting, stridor, hypohidrosis, and orthostatic hypotension.
- These episodes correlated with elevated plasma and urinary catecholamine concentrations.
- The patient had a history of slowly progressive autonomic failure.
Findings:
- The clinical presentation represents paroxysmal autonomic hyperreflexia.
- This occurred in the context of pure progressive autonomic failure, a rare etiology.
- Elevated catecholamines suggest a neuroendocrine link to the hyperreflexic episodes.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of autonomic hyperreflexia triggers and presentations.
- It highlights the importance of considering autonomic failure in unexplained hyperadrenergic episodes.
- Further research may elucidate the mechanisms linking autonomic failure to paroxysmal autonomic hyperreflexia.