[Paralytic ileus and atonic bladder in a case of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy--electrophysiological, chemical and pathological study with evidence of the peripheral nerve involvement].

A 41-year-old female of mitochondrial myopathy characterized by recurrent paralytic ileus and atonic bladder with the evidence of peripheral nerve involvement was described. This patient was admitted to our hospital because of the episode of paralytic ileus and atonic bladder at the age of 40 and 41 (1987). She had noticed sporadic headache from 1967, constipation from 1977, tinnitus and hearing disturbance from 1984. One month after her second admission in 1987, her symptoms of paralytic ileus and atonic bladder gradually disappeared. She was then transferred to the department of neurology for the evaluation of underlining neurological disorders. Neurological examination revealed dementia, oro-lingual dyskinesia, and proximal muscular weakness. However, none of the following signs or symptoms were observed; Ophthalmoplegia, blepharoptosis, retinitis pigmentosa, myoclonus, cerebellar ataxia, sensory disturbance, and orthostatic hypotension. Deep tendon reflexes were normal. Planter responses were flexor. Pyruvate and lactate were elevated in both serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Brain CT scan displayed moderate cerebral atrophy and basal ganglia calcifications. EMG was normal except for the external anal sphincter muscles which showed a denervation pattern. Motor nerve conduction velocity was normal in the right median and the right peroneal nerves. Sensory nerve conduction velocity was also normal in the right median and the right sural nerves. However, the amplitude of sensory potential was low in both these nerves. Atonic type of neurogenic bladder was noted on cystometry. There was a lack of voiding desire. The number of active sweat glands iontophoretically stimulated by pilocarpine was reduced. The most prominent feature of the muscle biopsy (the left biceps brachii) was myopathic changes with ragged-red fibers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)