Germanium intoxication with sensory ataxia

Journal of the Neurological Sciences
T AsakaA Genda

Abstract

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.

References

Jul 14, 1990·Lancet·J I van der SpoelM E Schipper
Jan 1, 1989·Acta Neuropathologica·I HiguchiK Miyata
Apr 1, 1967·Journal of Chronic Diseases·H A Schroeder, J J Balassa
Jan 31, 1922·The Journal of Experimental Medicine·F S HammettJ H Müller

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Citations

Aug 6, 2008·Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology : RTP·Katsuhiko YokoiYuka Uchida
Aug 21, 2007·Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN·Steven GabardiCatherine Ulbricht
Oct 21, 1999·Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation : Official Publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association·B E LückJ Begerow

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