cqvip:Objective: To delineate and clarify neuromuscular disorders in patients with p robable severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Design: Case series with follo w up ranging from 3 weeks to 2 months. Setting: National Taiwan University Hosp ital, Taipei. Patients: We investigated 4 patients with SARS who had concomitant neuromuscular problems. A diagnosis of SARS was based on the demonstration of s erum coronavirus antibodies. Clinical presentations, laboratory results, electro physiologic findings, and follow up conditions were determined. Results: Patien ts developed neuromuscular problems approximately 3 weeks after the onset of SAR S. Two women experienced motor predominant peripheral nerve disorders. A man de veloped myopathy and a third woman experienced neuropathy and myopathy. Cerebros pinal fluid obtained from 2 patients with neuropathy disclosed normal protein co ntent and the absence of pleocytosis and SARS coronavirus antibodies. Both patie nts with myopathy had elevated serum creatine kinase levels. A rapid clinical an d electrophysiologic improvement was evident during follow up examinations, wit h a good prognosis. Conclusions: The neuromuscular problems in patients with SAR S are considered to be critical illness polyneuropathy or myopathy, possibly co existent. Further pathological and microbiological studies are necessary to dete rmine the relationship between SARS coronavirus and neuromuscular problems.
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