Rossolimo Neuritis

Rossolimo Neuritis, a recurrent form of progressive hypertrophic interstitial neuritis of childhood (described by Rossolimo in 1899), forme recurrente de la polynevrite interstitielle hypertrophique progressive de l'enfance. The disease is very rare. - Etiology and pathogenesis. The disease is constitutional and amounts to congenital weakness of the peripheral nervous apparatus; under the influence of intoxications and auto-intoxications, the disease can significantly worsen. Onset in childhood. Due to the great rarity of this disease, the pathological-anatomical picture has not been studied; it apparently concerns the same changes as in Dejerine-Sott disease, of which it is a variety. - Symptomatology. Thickening and tenderness of nerve trunks are observed, disturbance of sensitivity in the areas innervated by the affected nerves; muscle atrophy with fibrillary twitching, quantitative decrease in excitability; more or less clearly expressed pareses; absence of tendon reflexes or their significant decrease; in addition, there is curvature of the spine in the form of kyphoscoliosis, the Argyll-Robertson symptom is often observed, as well as myosis and dynamic nystagmus. - The course of the disease is very slow, progressive with remissions and periodic exacerbations of symptoms; duration of the disease up to 10 years, with a slow increase in symptoms even during remissions. During exacerbations, paresis of the abducens nerve is observed, accompanied by diplopia. - The prognosis for recovery is unfavorable. No radical therapy exists. A normal way of life and strengthening treatment can be recommended.