Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

AAEM case report #30: multifocal motor neuropathy

¹Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.

|March 1, 1996

Summary

Multifocal motor neuropathy can mimic motor neuron disease, presenting with fasciculations and weakness. Early diagnosis and treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin can significantly improve strength and nerve conduction.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Non-recurrent SEPT9 duplications cause hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy.

Journal of medical genetics·2009

Same author

Epidemiology of critically ill children in England and Wales: incidence, mortality, deprivation and ethnicity.

Archives of disease in childhood·2008

Same author

Derivation and validation of diagnostic criteria for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Journal of the neurological sciences·2008

Same author

Pulsed methylprednisolone is a safe and effective treatment for diabetic amyotrophy.

Journal of clinical neuromuscular disease·2008

Same author

Relationship between probable nosocomial bacteraemia and organisational and structural factors in UK neonatal intensive care units.

Quality & safety in health care·2005

Same author

Mononeuritis multiplex in diabetes mellitus: evidence for underlying immune pathogenesis.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2003

Area of Science:

Neurology
Immunology

Background:

Motor neuron disease (MND) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) share superficial clinical similarities.
Accurate differentiation is crucial for appropriate patient management and treatment.

Observation:

A 73-year-old man initially diagnosed with focal motor neuron disease presented with a 16-year history of fasciculations and progressive right arm weakness.
Despite initial motor symptoms, mild paresthesias developed later, though sensory examinations remained normal.
Nerve conduction studies revealed severe motor conduction block in affected nerves, with minimal sensory abnormalities.

Findings:

The patient was ultimately diagnosed with multifocal motor neuropathy based on clinical presentation and electrodiagnostic findings.
Treatment with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin led to significant strength improvement and partial resolution of motor conduction block.
MMN is an immune-mediated inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy with a predilection for motor axons, distinct from chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).

Implications:

This case highlights the importance of distinguishing MMN from MND to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure timely, effective treatment.
Early recognition and treatment of MMN with intravenous immunoglobulin can lead to favorable outcomes.
MMN, while resembling MND superficially, is a treatable condition that requires specific immunomodulatory therapies.

Related Experiment Videos