Progressive Neural Muscular Atrophy.
Synonyms:—This is progressive peroneal muscular atrophy of Gowers, or the progressive atrophy of Charcot-Marie, or the progressive neural atrophy of Hoffman.
Symptomatology:—This is a primary neurotic atrophy, in which the muscles below the knee are affected, beginning with those to which the peroneal nerves are distributed. Later the muscles of the hand and arms may also be involved. The muscles of the foot become very weak, later those of the leg, first the peroneal muscles, and later the anterior and posterior tibial muscles, and a progressive atrophy is apparent. The foot drops on attempting to walk, and walking is difficult or impossible. There is a loss of reflex, with fibrillary contractions and perhaps a form of club foot may develop. In rare cases it may involve the muscles of the trunk and face. It is usually of slow progress. It may be hereditarily transmitted.
Treatment: see Muscular Dystrophies.
