[A case of progressive bulbar paralysis in a child (Fazio-Londe disease)].

The reported case was diagnosed in a girl aged 14, in whom the first signs developed at the age of 6, with progressive involvement of the cranial nerves IX, X, XI and XII, and V with VII. After ruling out other possible causes the diagnosis of the Fazio-Londe disease was established. Electromyographic examination confirming the diagnosis demonstrated also evidence of changes of neurogenic type in the muscles of upper extremities despite absence of demonstrable clinical abnormalities, which, as suggest the authors, may support the hypothesis of the similarity of the disease to other forms of spinal muscular atrophy, such as Werdnig-Hoffman and Kugelberg-Welander diseases.