title: Sensory ataxic neuropathy and esophageal achalasia in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome.
abstract: We describe a patient who developed an ataxic sensory syndrome associated with xerophthalmia and progressive dysphagia with regurgitation. Electrophysiological findings were consistent with an axonal sensory neuropathy, and superficial peroneal nerve biopsy showed a reduction in number of myelinated fibers with epineurial inflammation. Rheumatoid factor, anti-SSA/SSB and antinuclear antibodies were positive and a diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome was made. An endoscopic investigation revealed esophageal achalasia. We suggest that there may be a common autoimmune mechanism directed to different targets on the basis of this rare association.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università di Torino, Via Cherasco 15, 10126 Torino, Italy. fabiopoglio@libero.it
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Poglio
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mongini
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cocito
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001259:Ataxia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000473:pathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D015415:Biomarkers