Hepatosplenomegaly and progressive neurological symptoms - Late manifestation of Niemann-Pick disease type C - a case report -.
Niemann-Pick disease type C is an inborn error of metabolism that affects lipid degradation and storage. Hepatosplenomegaly and progressive neurological symptoms are the main clinical features. We present a case of an adult-onset type of Niemann-Pick disease in a 33-year-old woman who initially presented with dysarthria. At first, laboratory findings suggested Wilson's disease. Laparoscopy showed macroscopic signs of liver cirrhosis and histology did not confirm Wilson's disease. After bone marrow biopsy showed characteristic sea-blue histiocytes, Niemann-Pick disease was suspected and confirmed by filipin stain of cultured fibroblasts. Though rarely encountered, lipid storage disease should be suspected especially in younger patients with organomegaly and progressive signs of neurologic disease.
Schneider
A R
AR
Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Diabetes Care, Klinikum Ludwigshafen. MedCLu@t-online.de
Stichling
F
F
Hoffmann
M
M
Scheler
R
R
Arnold
J C
JC
Riemann
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D009542:Niemann-Pick Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000209:etiology*