title: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis presenting respiratory failure as the sole initial manifestation.
abstract: It is rare that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) presents with respiratory failure as the sole initial manifestation. A 72-year-old man with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease developed exertional dyspnea for 13 months. He then progressed to limb weakness that led to the diagnosis of ALS. Although rare, ALS can present with respiratory failure as the sole initial manifestation more than 1 year prior to limb weakness.
authors.affiliation: Neurology, Internal Medicine, Sakura Medical Center, Toho University, Sakura, Japan.
authors.forename: Fuyuki
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tateno
authors.affiliation: Neurology, Internal Medicine, Sakura Medical Center, Toho University, Sakura, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryuji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sakakibara
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Diseases, Internal Medicine, Sakura Medical Center, Toho University, Sakura, Japan.
authors.forename: Kengo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawashima
authors.affiliation: Neurology, Internal Medicine, Sakura Medical Center, Toho University, Sakura, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kishi
authors.affiliation: Neurology, Internal Medicine, Sakura Medical Center, Toho University, Sakura, Japan.
authors.forename: Yohei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tsuyusaki
authors.affiliation: Neurology, Internal Medicine, Sakura Medical Center, Toho University, Sakura, Japan.
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aiba
authors.affiliation: Neurology, Internal Medicine, Sakura Medical Center, Toho University, Sakura, Japan.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogata
keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Respiratory failure