Benign monomelic amyotrophy- a report of 7 cases

Abstract EN

Monomelic amyotrophy (M.A.) is a rare, benign motor neuron disorder.

The characteristic clinical features are insidious onset in the second and third decades, male preponderance, nonfamilial, sporadic occurrence, painless asymmetrical wasting and weakness confined to one limb, and absence of involvement of the cranial nerves, cerebrum, brain stem, and sensory system.

During the year 1997 to 2003, we have registered 7 cases that had been thoroughly investigated and treated as benign monomelic amyotrophy.

Their analysis showed possible spread of the disease to other limbs following a period of stabilization in the initially affected limb, familial involvement, and almost equal sex distribution contradictory to the earlier reports.

In their rehabilitation programme strengthening exercises upto fatigue stage should be avoided.

Early consideration of change in life style is an important step in rehabilitation of such patients,