Autonomic dysfunction in diphtheritic neuropathy

• Published in: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 159 - 161
• Main Author: Idiaquez, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.02.1992; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the nervous system. Bacterial myositis; Biological and medical sciences; Diphtheria - complications; Female; Heart Rate; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Myocarditis - complications; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - etiology; Tachycardia; Infection; Human; Nervous system diseases; Autonomic nervous system; Diseases of the autonomic nervous system; Bacteriosis; Clinical investigation; Peripheral nerve disease; Diphtheria; Polyneuropathy
• ISSN: 0022-3050; 1468-330X
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.55.2.159

Sympathetic and parasympathetic function and somatic nerve conduction were assessed in ten patients with diphtheritic neuropathy and 28 controls. None of the patients had postural hypotension. The Valsalva ratio was abnormal in two patients who also had myocarditis, but it was normal in five cases. Cardiac vagal dysfunction was found in five patients. One case showed cardiac parasympathetic denervation despite normal conduction velocity in the limbs.