title: Neuromuscular disorders in severe acute respiratory syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To delineate and clarify neuromuscular disorders in patients with probable severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series with follow-up ranging from 3 weeks to 2 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated 4 patients with SARS who had concomitant neuromuscular problems. A diagnosis of SARS was based on the demonstration of serum coronavirus antibodies. Clinical presentations, laboratory results, electrophysiologic findings, and follow-up conditions were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients developed neuromuscular problems approximately 3 weeks after the onset of SARS. Two women experienced motor-predominant peripheral nerve disorders. A man developed myopathy and a third woman experienced neuropathy and myopathy. Cerebrospinal fluid obtained from 2 patients with neuropathy disclosed normal protein content and the absence of pleocytosis and SARS coronavirus antibodies. Both patients with myopathy had elevated serum creatine kinase levels. A rapid clinical and electrophysiologic improvement was evident during follow-up examinations, with a good prognosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The neuromuscular problems in patients with SARS are considered to be critical-illness polyneuropathy or myopathy, possibly coexistent. Further pathological and microbiological studies are necessary to determine the relationship between SARS coronavirus and neuromuscular problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei.
authors.forename: Li-Kai
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Sung-Tsang
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Chi-Chao
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: Yee-Chun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yea-Huey
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Shan-Chwen
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yang-Chyuan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000150:complications*