Xerostomia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Xerostomia, including details on dry mouth, treatment, causes, lack of saliva.

Sensory ataxic neuropathy and esophageal achalasia in a patient with Sjogren's syndrome.

Poglio F, Mongini T, Cocito D

Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università di Torino, Via Cherasco 15, 10126 Torino, Italy. fabiopoglio@libero.it

We describe a patient who developed an ataxic sensory syndrome associated with xerophthalmia and progressive dysphagia with regurgitation. Electrophysiological findings were consistent with an axonal sensory neuropathy, and superficial peroneal nerve biopsy showed a reduction in number of myelinated fibers with epineurial inflammation. Rheumatoid factor, anti-SSA/SSB and antinuclear antibodies were positive and a diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome was made. An endoscopic investigation revealed esophageal achalasia. We suggest that there may be a common autoimmune mechanism directed to different targets on the basis of this rare association.

Published 7 May 2007 in Muscle Nerve, 35(4): 532-5.
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