title: Giant axonal neuropathy. Endocrinological and histological studies.
abstract: A case of giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) in a boy of 4 years and 6 months, is reported. Nerve conduction velocity (NCV), EEG and CT scan indicated both peripheral and central nervous system involvement. Intestinal absorption tests did not reveal vitamin B12 malabsorption; the endocrine situation was found to be substantially normal. The clinical picture was not modified by 18 months cyanocobalamine administration followed by 2 months therapy with prednisone. Electron microscopic (EM) examination revealed longitudinal and opposing grooves (pili canaliculi) in the hair and bundles of neuro-filaments in the myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibre axons in sural nerve. EM of conjunctiva and skin revealed masses of intermediate-sized filaments within mast cells, fibroblasts, melanocytes, endothelial and Schwann cells. These findings confirm the hypothesis that GAN is a generalised abnormality of cytoplasmic microfilament formation, probably linked to an unknown disorder of protein metabolism.
mesh_terms: D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000473:pathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006197:Hair / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009431:Neural Conduction; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014805:Vitamin B 12