Clinical Focus ›› 2023, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (12): 1101-1106.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-583X.2023.12.008

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A case of neurological brucellosis misdiagnosed as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and literature review

Chun Mei1,2, Zhen Jin3(), Yan Yan3, Liu Bin3, Li Min3, Sun Xia1,3   

  1. 1. Graduate school,Baotou Medical College,Inner Mongolia University of Science Technology,Baotou 014040,China
    2. Department of Neurology,Hohhot First Hospital,Hohhot 010017,China
    3. Department of Neurology,Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital,Hohhot 010017,China
  • Received:2022-09-19 Online:2023-12-20 Published:2024-01-30
  • Contact: Zhen Jin E-mail:zhenjin2006106@126.com

Abstract:

Objective To explore the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of neurobrucellosis (NB), and to analyze the causes of misdiagnosis of NB as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To compare the common points between NB and ALS and how to identify them in clinical work. Methods The clinical characteristics and treatment of a patient with NB misdiagnosed as ALS were reported and analyzed in combination with literature review. Results A 58-year-old male patient diagnosed with NB had significantly alleviated symptoms after 2 weeks of treatment, with right proximal limb muscle strength of grade Ⅴ-, distal muscle strength of grade Ⅳ-, left proximal muscle strength of grade Ⅴ-, left distal muscle strength of grade Ⅴ-, bilateral tendon reflexes (+++), and bilateral Babinski's sign (+). He was referred back to the local hospital for continuing anti-Brucella treatment. Conclusion Misdiagnosis of NB as ALS is mainly attributed to the atypical and diverse symptoms and signs of NB, and non-specific signs of intracranial infection, leading to misdiagnosis of other neurological diseases.

Key words: brucellosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, peripheral nervous system disease

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