title: [Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a patient with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia].
abstract: Although a peripheral neuropathy is the best known neurological complication of Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia (WM), the association of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or other Motor Neuron Diseases (MND) with monoclonal gammopathies is described. We report the case of a male patient (41 years old) with WM and ALS. Whether monoclonal gammopathies play a role in the pathogenesis of MND is unclear but is la possible that patients might have antibodies against motor neurons. In our reported case neurologic symptoms were the first and the most important manifestations of the underlying hemopathy and despite plasmapheresis and immunosuppressive treatment ALS syndrome progressed. The neurologic disease worsened despite the improvement of WM.
authors.affiliation: Unità Operativa II, Medicina Interna, USL n. 5 Valdera, Pontedera, Pisa.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vannucci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castiglioni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Filidei
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Riccioni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008258:Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / Q000150:complications*