Asaka T, Nitta E, Makifuchi T, Shibazaki Y, Kitamura Y, Ohara H, Matsushita K, Takamori M, Takahashi Y, Genda A
Department of Neurology, Kanazawa University School of Medicine, Japan.
J Neurol Sci. 1995 Jun;130(2):220-3. doi: 10.1016/0022-510x(95)00032-w.
Sensory ataxia in inorganic germanium intoxication is rare. A 63-year-old housewife had taken inorganic germanium preparations at a dosage of 36 mg a day for about 6 years (total dose about 80 g). She subsequently developed difficulty in writing and gait disturbance with peripheral neuropathy and renal involvement. Germanium, which is not usually detected in the non-germanium user, was accumulated in her hair and nails, permitting a diagnosis of inorganic germanium intoxication. The peripheral neuropathy and renal injury were not reversible after discontinuing the preparation. Pneumonia and sepsis then supervened and the patient died. Autopsy findings showed degeneration and loss of the dorsal root ganglion cells and degeneration of the dorsal column of the spinal cord. Two previously reported cases presented with ataxia. These patients took germanium for long periods and/or large quantities like our case. It was supposed that sensory ataxia was induced by chronic and dose dependent toxicity of inorganic germanium.
无机锗中毒导致的感觉性共济失调较为罕见。一名63岁的家庭主妇每天服用36毫克无机锗制剂，持续约6年（总剂量约80克）。随后她出现书写困难和步态障碍，并伴有周围神经病变和肾脏损害。在未使用锗的人群中通常检测不到的锗，在她的头发和指甲中蓄积，从而确诊为无机锗中毒。停用该制剂后，周围神经病变和肾脏损伤不可逆转。随后患者并发肺炎和败血症，最终死亡。尸检结果显示背根神经节细胞变性和缺失，以及脊髓后索变性。此前报道的两例病例也出现了共济失调。这些患者与我们的病例一样，长期和/或大量服用锗。据推测，感觉性共济失调是由无机锗的慢性和剂量依赖性毒性所致。
