Hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a genetically determined condition that is often confused with, and misdiagnosed as, spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Both autosomal dominant and recessive forms have been reported. We present three index patients in a single family with this disease. The pedigree of three generations strongly supports the genetic basis of an autosomal dominant condition. Awareness of this entity may help in genetic counseling and possibly avoiding some medical litigation related to cerebral palsy patients.