Wilson disease with an initial manifestation of polyneuropathy.

BACKGROUND Recognition of Wilson disease (WD) is sometimes difficult because of its diverse manifestations. Peripheral neuropathy is rarely reported in the context of WD. OBJECTIVE To report an unusual patient with WD whose initial manifestation was peripheral neuropathy. DESIGN Case report. SETTING Neurology department in a tertiary referral center. METHOD Personal observation. RESULT A 17-year-old man, who was eventually diagnosed with WD, was initially seen with polyneuropathy at least 6 months prior to developing more typical symptoms of WD. Electrophysiological and pathological studies suggested a neuropathy of mixed type. Treatment for WD resulted in clinical and electrophysiological improvement. CONCLUSION Wilson disease may initially appear as a treatable polyneuropathy.