Germanium intoxication with sensory ataxia

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 re...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the neurological sciences 1995-06, Vol.130 (2), p.220-223
Main Authors: Asaka, Tomoya, Nitta, Eishun, Makifuchi, Takao, Shibazaki, Yoichi, Kitamura, Yoshihisa, Ohara, Hiroyasu, Matsushita, Kazuhiko, Takamori, Masaharu, Takahashi, Yoichi, Genda, Akira
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Ataxia - chemically induced
Ataxia - pathology
Ataxia - physiopathology
Biological and medical sciences
Brain - pathology
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Female
Ganglia - pathology
Germanium - poisoning
Germanium intoxication
Humans
Kidney Diseases - chemically induced
Kidney Diseases - pathology
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical sciences
Metals and various inorganic compounds
Motor Neurons - drug effects
Nerve Degeneration - drug effects
Neural Conduction - drug effects
Peripheral neuropathy
Renal injury
Sensory ataxia
Spinal Cord - pathology
Toxicology
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0022-510X
1878-5883
DOI:10.1016/0022-510X(95)00032-W