|
ACUTE OR SUBACUTE GENERALISED, PROGRESSIVE MUSCULAR WEAKNESS |
|
acute ascending motor paralysis: [variable sensory disturbance; retained sphincter function] |
||
|
post-infective polyneuropathy (Guillain-Barre syndrome) |
associated with: EBV infection Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection hepatitis diphtheria (Corynebacterium diphtheriae toxin) HIV / AIDS Lyme disease |
|
|
toxic polyneuropathy: |
triorthocresyl phosphate stilbamidine colchicine heavy metals |
|
|
hereditary: |
acute intermittent porphyria |
|
|
infection: |
acute paralytic poliomyelitis vaccine-associated (live-attenuated polio vaccine in immunosuppressed)
other enteroviruses |
|
|
neuromuscular junction problems: |
|
myasthenia gravis Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome botulism (Clostridium botulinum toxin causes presynaptic block at NMJ) |
|
other: |
|
muscular dystrophies familial hypokalaemic paralysis (weakness usually after exercise)polymyositis / dermatomyositis spinal cord lesions / transverse myelitis (depending on level)polyarteritis nodosa / other vasculitides (mononeuritis multiplex) |
click here to return to the main contents page of Differential Diagnoses in General Medicine