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Aktuelle Neurologie 2018; 45(06): 457-470
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-119976
Übersicht
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

ALS-Mimics

ALS-Mimics
Anna Hansel
RKU – Universitäts- und Rehabilitationskliniken Ulm gGmbH
,
Johannes Dorst
RKU – Universitäts- und Rehabilitationskliniken Ulm gGmbH
,
Angela Rosenbohm
RKU – Universitäts- und Rehabilitationskliniken Ulm gGmbH
,
Annemarie Hübers
RKU – Universitäts- und Rehabilitationskliniken Ulm gGmbH
,
Albert Ludolph
RKU – Universitäts- und Rehabilitationskliniken Ulm gGmbH
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
05 April 2018 (online)

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Zusammenfassung

Die amyotrophe Lateralsklerose (ALS) ist eine degenerative Erkrankung des motorischen Nervensystems, die mangels kurativer Therapieansätze binnen 3 – 5 Jahren letal verläuft. Eine definitive Diagnosestellung wird aufgrund des oft erst spät im Krankheitsverlauf zur Ausprägung kommenden klassischen Bildes einer ALS häufig verzögert. Einige Krankheitsentitäten können insbesondere in den Anfangsstadien mit einer ALS verwechselt werden. Eine sichere Unterscheidung ist jedoch aufgrund der – im Gegensatz zur ALS – teilweise vorliegenden kausalen Therapiemöglichkeiten essenziell. Da die ALS durch das Vorliegen von Schädigungszeichen des ersten und zweiten Motoneurons charakterisiert ist, sind insbesondere Krankheiten, die diese Merkmale mit der ALS teilen, von Bedeutung. Als Differenzialdiagnose einer ALS mit Betonung des zweiten Motoneurons zu nennen sind: Die immunvermittelten Neuropathien wie die multifokale motorische Neuropathie (MMN) mit ausgeprägten, v. a. distalen Paresen ohne starke Atrophie und dem Nachweis von proximalen Leitungsblöcken in der Elektroneurografie sowie die chronisch inflammatorische demyelinisierende Polyradikuloneuropathie (CIDP), bei der sich im Gegensatz zur ALS häufig Sensibilitätsstörungen und eine Areflexie finden sowie als liquordiagnostisches Merkmal eine zytoalbuminäre Dissoziation vorliegt. Weiterhin die sporadische Einschlusskörperchenmyositis (sIBM), bei der sich typische Biopsiebefunde sowie klinisch ein hauptsächlicher Befall der Fingerflexoren finden und die spinobulbäre Muskelatrophie Typ Kennedy (SBMA), bei der durch die Bestimmung des Androgenrezeptor-(AR-)Gens eine klare Abgrenzung zur ALS getroffen werden kann sowie klinisch Zeichen einer peripheren Androgenresistenz imponieren. Die monomelische Amyotrophie Hirayama zeigt Kälteparesen, ein MRT der HWS sowie eine unauffällige Neurografie sichern die Diagnose. Bei den benignen Faszikulationen fehlen Paresen und Atrophien, im EMG zeigt sich im Gegensatz zur ALS keine pathologische Spontanaktivität. Bei der spinalen Muskelatrophie (SMA) hilft die SMN-Gen-Diagnostik bei der Differenzierung, zudem ist die Erkrankung im Erwachsenenalter sehr selten. Differenzialdiagnosen einer ALS mit z. T. nebeneinander vorkommender Affektion des ersten und zweiten Motoneurons sind metabolische Erkrankungen (Adrenoleukodystrophie, metachromatische Leukodystrophie, Tay-Sachs-Syndrom), hier stellt die Bestimmung der jeweiligen Laborparameter den wichtigsten diagnostischen Schritt dar. Auch eine zervikale Myelopathie kann Zeichen des ersten und zweiten Motoneurons bedingen, kann jedoch mittels MRT der HWS gut unterschieden werden. Als Differenzialdiagnose einer ALS mit Betonung des ersten Motoneurons behandeln wir zudem die hereditäre spastische Paraparese (HSP), die klinisch durch eine symmetrische Spastik der Beine auffällt, im MRT meist eine Atrophie des Myelons zeigt und mittels SPG-Gendiagnostik von der ALS differenziert werden kann.

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. Most patients die within 3–5 years of symptom onset due to the lack of effective therapy options. A diagnostic delay is encountered quite often, since disease progression as well as site and speed of onset may vary significantly. Some diseases can mimic features of ALS, especially in early stages. It is very important to differentiate those mimics from ALS as potentially treatable conditions might be missed otherwise. ALS typically affects the upper as well as the lower motor neuron, which implies that diseases sharing at least one of these clinical features have to be considered in the differential diagnosis. The following conditions should be considered as a differential diagnosis for ALS with predominant affection of the lower motor neuron: Immune mediated neuropathies such as multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) with pronounced distal paresis without striking atrophy signs and conduction blocks in electroneurography, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) with common signs of sensibility disturbances, areflexia and cytoalbuminologic dissociation in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) with typical biopsy findings and clinically predominant affection of the finger flexors. Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), in which androgen receptor (AR-)gene testing and clinical signs of androgen insensitivity will help to differentiate the disease from ALS. Hirayama disease shows cold paresis; a cervical MRI scan and a normal neurography will help to confirm the diagnosis. In benign fasciculation syndrome, there is no muscle paresis or atrophy, and acute denervation cannot be detected in the EMG. In spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), testing for the SMN gene will help to differentiate the condition from ALS; furthermore SMA is a very rare disease in adults. As a differential diagnosis for ALS with both clinical affection of the upper and lower motor neuron e.g. metabolic diseases such as adrenoleukodystrophy, metachromatic leukodystrophy and Tay-Sachs disease should be taken into account. Here, laboratory tests are the most important steps for a correct diagnosis. Cervical myelopathy is also capable of affecting the upper and lower motor neuron, but can easily be differentiated by a cervical MRI scan. As a differential diagnosis of ALS with predominant affection of the upper motor neuron, we discuss hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) which presents with a symmetric spasticity of the legs. The MRI often shows atrophy of the spinal cord, and SPG gene testing is done to differentiate HSP from ALS.

Schlüsselwörter

amyotrophe Lateralsklerose - Differenzialdiagnose - Mimics - Motoneuronerkrankung

Keywords

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - differential diagnosis - mimics - motor neuron disease
 

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