Thyrotoxic neuropathy (Basedow's paraplegia)

Abstract

Polyneuropathy is a rare but possible manifestation of severe hyperthyroidism. The patient reported here (a 18 yr old male with familial hypertension) developed a polyneuropathy affecting mostly leg muscles (Basedow's paraplegia) during the course of severe thyrotoxicosis. The polyneuropathy was confirmed with sequential electrophysiologic studies of nerves and muscles and by muscle biopsy. The involvement of the proximal leg muscles is also interpreted as a neuropathic or nerve mediated process rather than a concomitant thyrotoxic myopathy.