Fatal autonomic failure due to premanifesting Parkinson's disease only diagnosed at autopsy

Abstract

Abstract A 46‐year‐old male had 11‐year history of cryptic autonomic dysfunction. He developed a fatal autonomic failure with diffuse hypoxic brain injury. Histology examination of medulla oblongata and the celiac ganglion revealed many α‐synuclein immunoreactive Lewy bodies confirming the diagnosis of premanifesting Parkinson's disease (PD). PNS involvement in PD is underappreciated.

Keywords

• autonomic dysfunction
• Lewy body disease
• multiple system atrophy
• neurodegeneration
• Parkinson's disease
• α‐synuclein