"Basedow paraplegia"

 Q: What is "Basedow paraplegia"? 

 Answer: "Basedow paraplegia" is an unusual acute neurological presentation of thyroid storm or in patients with severe hyperthyroidism. The classic presentation is an acute and severe weakness of lower extremities associated with areflexia. Upper extremities though get weak but usually less affected. It is hard to make diagnoses as clinical features may resemble Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) which may also occur in severe hyperthyroidism. Treatment is to manage the underlying thyroid pathology.

#endocrinology

#neurology

References:

1. Feibel JH, Campa JF. Thyrotoxic neuropathy (Basedow's paraplegia). J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1976; 39:491. 

2. Pandit L, Shankar SK, Gayathri N, Pandit A. Acute thyrotoxic neuropathy--Basedow's paraplegia revisited. J Neurol Sci 1998; 155:211.