Tropical Spastic Paraparesis
Overview
Main name of condition: Tropical Spastic Paraparesis.
Other names or spellings for Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: Tropical spastic paraplegia, Retrovirus-Associated Myelopathy, HTLV-1 Associated Myelopathy, TSP, Cassava syndrome, ataxic neuropathy of Nigeria
Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: A form of spastic partial paralysis of the lower limbs which occurs in the tropics. Tropical Spastic Paraparesis: A subacute paralytic myeloneuropathy occurring endemically in tropical areas such as the Caribbean, Colombia, India, and Africa, as well as in the southwestern region of Japan; associated with infection by human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HUMAN T-LYMPHOTROPIC VIRUS 1). Clinical manifestations include a slowly progressive spastic weakness of the legs, increased reflexes, Babinski signs, incontinence, and loss of vibratory and position sensation. On pathologic examination inflammatory, demyelination, and necrotic lesions may be found in the spinal cord .
Symptoms
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Tropical Spastic Paraparesis includes the 15 symptoms listed below: Progressive muscle weakness
- Sensory disturbance
- Sphincter dysfunction
- Urinary incontinence
- Uveitis
- Arthritis
- Pulmonary lymphocytic alveolitis
- Polymyositis
- Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
- Infectious dermatitis
- Painful paresthesias
- Leg weakness
- Speaking difficulty
- Visual problems
- Progressive spastic leg weakness
Note that Tropical Spastic Paraparesis symptoms usually refers to various symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Tropical Spastic Paraparesis signs may refer to those signs only noticable by a doctor.
Causes
Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Tropical Spastic Paraparesis) that could possibly cause Tropical Spastic Paraparesis includes:
- HTLV-1 infection
- Other Possible Causes of these symptoms
- Arthritis
- Infectious dermatitis
- Leg weakness
- Progressive muscle weakness
- Pulmonary lymphocytic alveolitis
- Sensory disturbance
- Speaking difficulty
- Urinary incontinence
- Uveitis
- Visual problems
Diagnosis
These home medical tests may be relevant to Tropical Spastic Paraparesis:
- Bladder & Urinary Health Home Testing
- Home Bladder Tests
- Home Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Tests
- Home Cystitis Tests
- Home Kidney Tests
- Home Urine Protein Tests (Kidney Function)
- Home Prostate Cancer Tests
Kidney Health: Home Testing:
- Home Microalbumin Tests (Kidney)
- Home Urine Protein Tests (Kidney)
- Home Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Tests