Sporadic lower motor neuron disease with Lewy body-like inclusions: a new subgroup?

A sporadic case of lower motor neuron disease with Lewy body-like inclusions is presented. A woman of 69, 6 months before death, had a history of muscle weakness and atrophy of the four extremities. Neuropathological examination revealed neuronal loss and associated gliosis in the anterior horns of the whole spinal cord. The cytoplasm of some of the remaining neurons contained Lewy body-like inclusions, Bunina bodies, or both. Spheroids and cordlike thickenings of cell processes were also observed in the anterior horns. A few neurons showed argentophilia of the cytoplasm. No tract degeneration was detectable in the white matter of the spinal cord. The present case and two reported similar cases may constitute a new subgroup of motor neuron disease.