An unusual subacute progressive motor neuronopathy with myasthenia-like features

Abstract

The initial presentation and clinical course of this 60-year old woman suggested a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. The subsequent development of tongue fasciculations and the lack of response to treatment made a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) more likely despite the presence of conjugate gaze paresis and the absence of many of the typical clinical and electromyographic (EMG) findings seen in this condition. The pathological findings were consistent with either a motor neuronopathy or an unusual variant of ALS. We review the clinical and pathological features of this unusual case in this report.