Human neurolathyrism, a follow-up study. Part II: Special investigations.

Special investigations were undertaken in the group of patients suffering from chronic neurolathyrism as described in part one of our work. X-ray films of the skeleton were taken of 45 patients. Pathologic findings similar to experimental osteolathyrism were revealed in 5 patients. These observations have not been described before. Sural nerve biopsies were taken from three patients with lathyric sensory neuropathy. Electron microscopy revealed mainly thick myelin sheaths which extended into the axonal regions. The picture is similar to the "tomaculous" neuropathy of Bradley. The lower motor neuron was involved in a few cases, manifested by delayed nerve conduction time and muscular atrophies.