Wilson disease: neurologic features

Handb Clin Neurol. 2017:142:101-119. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63625-6.00010-0.

Abstract

Wilson disease (WD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, which presents as a spectrum of neurologic manifestations that includes tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, dystonia, chorea, dysarthria, and dysphagia, together with a combination of neurologic symptoms that can easily lead to misdiagnosis. An early diagnosis of WD, and appropriate anticopper treatment, usually leads to a marked improvement in patient health. Conversely, delayed diagnosis can result in persistent pathology, which, left untreated, can ultimately prove lethal. The aim of this chapter is to present a detailed description of the neurologic features of WD, including their evaluation, together with relevant ophthalmologic examinations, brain neuroimaging, and other laboratory measurements that show the extent of the involvement of the nervous system.

Keywords: Kayser–Fleischer ring; Wilson disease; dystonia; neuroimaging; neurologic scales; parkinsonism; tremor.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / classification
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / complications*
  • Hepatolenticular Degeneration / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Nervous System Diseases / classification
  • Nervous System Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology*