Peripheral neuropathy in glycogen storage disease type III: Fact or myth?

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to assess whether peripheral neuropathy is a feature of glycogen storage disease type IIIa (GSD IIIa) in adult patients.

METHODS

Medical records of a cohort of adult GSD IIIa patients who underwent electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) were reviewed, and the results were correlated with physical examination findings.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients underwent EMG and NCS; 4 complained of exercise intolerance, 1 of foot paresthesia, and 11 of muscle weakness (3 proximal, 8 distal). None of the patients had sensory deficits on clinical examination. All motor and sensory conduction velocities and sensory amplitudes were within reference ranges. EMG showed myopathic motor unit potentials in 15 of the 16 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the clinical examination and the NCS and EMG results, we did not identify any peripheral nerve involvement in our adult patients diagnosed with GSD III.