Tetraparesia fláccida

Resumen

In this paper we review a clinical case of a man of 66 years old admitted to the medicine service of the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile, with a clinical setting of flaccid tetraparesis associated with myalgias,dysphagia, dysphonia, reddish-violaceous eruption on the upper tyelids, periungual erythema and erythema distributed over the anterior neck and chest. We take this case to review the causes of flaccid tetraparesis that can be due to systemic, neuromuscular or psychiatric díseases. The clinical approach begins with the anamnesis: drugs constonptíon, or systernic diseases; continues with the physical examination orientated to stablish compromise of first or second, motoneuron. Finally laboratory test as muscle enzymes, endocronologíc test, and others like electromyography and muscle biopsy. We also review the actual treatments and the outcome and prognosis with each of them.