Polyradiculoneuropathy in an adult with primitive hyperoxaluria

• Published in: Revue neurologique Vol. 156; no. 1; p. 62
• Main Authors: Furby, A, Mourtada, R, Charasse, C, Rivalan, J, Messner, M, Leroy, J P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01-01-2000
• Subjects: Adult; Alanine - metabolism; Biopsy; Disease Progression; Humans; Hyperoxaluria, Primary - complications; Hyperoxaluria, Primary - enzymology; Hyperoxaluria, Primary - surgery; Kidney Failure, Chronic - diagnosis; Kidney Transplantation; Liver - enzymology; Liver - pathology; Liver - surgery; Liver Transplantation; Male; Polyradiculoneuropathy - complications; Polyradiculoneuropathy - enzymology; Polyradiculoneuropathy - surgery
• ISSN: 0035-3787

From the age of 31 a patient began to suffer from recurrent calcium oxalate urolithiasis. Liver biopsy showed a decrease in catalytic activity of the hepatic peroxisomal enzyme alanine: glyoxilate aminotransferase (AGT), which was mistargeted from peroxisomes to mitochondria. The genetic analysis revealed a mutation of the AGT gene. At age 47 he developed end-stage renal failure and underwent hemodialysis. After 12 months of hemodialysis he presented a rapidly declining clinical condition, a decrease of the residual renal function, a livedo reticularis with painful of extremities, and shortly thereafter a general weakness, which predominated on lower limbs. Apart from renal failure, routine biological examination and CSF were normal. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography supported the diagnosis of polyradiculoneuropathy. Pathological studies revealed mixed demyelinating-axonal lesions and deposits of calcium oxalate crystals within the media and the intima of epineural arterioles. A combined liver-kidney transplant was rapidly performed. The patient's condition improved in a few months and motor signs completely disappeared.