GERMANIUM INTOXICATION WITH SENSORY ATAXIA

Sensory ataxia in inorganic germanium intoxication is rare. A 63-year- old housewife had taken inorganic germanium preparations at a dosage o f 36 mg a day for about 6 years (total dose about 80 g). She subsequen tly developed difficulty in writing and gait disturbance with peripher al neuropathy and renal involvement. Germanium, which is not usually d etected in the non-germanium user, was accumulated in her hair and nai ls, permitting a diagnosis of inorganic germanium intoxication. The pe ripheral neuropathy and renal injury were not reversible after discont inuing the preparation. Pneumonia and sepsis then supervened and the p atient died. Autopsy findings showed degeneration and loss of the dors al root ganglion cells and degeneration of the dorsal column of the sp inal cord. Two previously reported cases presented with ataxia. These patients took germanium for long periods and/or large quantities like our case. It was supposed that sensory ataxia was induced by chronic a nd dose dependent toxicity of inorganic germanium.