Autosomal spastic paraplegia type 58

What it is

From: Orphanet

A rare, complex subtype of hereditary spastic paraplegia characterized by variable onset of slowly progressive lower limb spasticity and weakness and prominent cerebellar ataxia, associated with gait disturbances, dysarthria, increased deep tendon reflexes and extensor plantar responses. Additional features may include involuntary movements (i.e. clonus, tremor, fasciculations, chorea), decreased vibration sense, oculomotor abnormalities (e.g. nystagmus) and distal amyotrophy in the upper and lower limbs.

Reported clinical features and what the terms mean

The following findings are associated with this condition in Orphanet. They are not a checklist for diagnosing yourself, and they do not all occur in every affected person. Some are examination, imaging or laboratory findings that cannot be recognised at home.

The frequency labels describe how often a finding was reported among people with the condition in the source. They do not give the chance that a person with that symptom has the condition. Definitions below reproduce HPO terminology; they explain the term, not the likely severity in an individual.

Abnormal cerebral white matter morphology · Very frequent (99-80%)

An abnormality of the cerebral white matter.

Dysarthria · Very frequent (99-80%)

Dysarthric speech is a general description referring to a neurological speech disorder characterized by poor articulation. Depending on the involved neurological structures, dysarthria may be further classified as spastic, flaccid, ataxic, hyperkinetic and hypokinetic, or mixed.

Fasciculations · Very frequent (99-80%)

Fasciculations are observed as small, local, involuntary muscle contractions (twitching) visible under the skin. Fasciculations result from increased irritability of an axon (which in turn is often a manifestation of disease of a motor neuron). This leads to sporadic discharges of all the muscle fibers controlled by the axon in isolation from other motor units.

Gait ataxia · Very frequent (99-80%)

A type of ataxia characterized by the impairment of the ability to coordinate the movements required for normal walking. Gait ataxia is characteirzed by a wide-based staggering gait with a tendency to fall.

Hypodontia · Very frequent (99-80%)

The absence of five or less teeth from the normal series by a failure to develop.

Lower limb hyperreflexia · Very frequent (99-80%)

Increased intensity of the a reflex in the leg.

Spastic ataxia · Very frequent (99-80%)

Babinski sign · Frequent (79-30%)

Upturning of the big toe (and sometimes fanning of the other toes) in response to stimulation of the sole of the foot. If the Babinski sign is present it can indicate damage to the corticospinal tract.

Chorea · Frequent (79-30%)

Chorea (Greek for 'dance') refers to widespread arrhythmic involuntary movements of a forcible, jerky and restless fashion. It is a random-appearing sequence of one or more discrete involuntary movements or movement fragments. Movements appear random because of variability in timing, duration or location. Each movement may have a distinct start and end. However, movements may be strung together and thus may appear to flow randomly from one muscle group to another. Chorea can involve the trunk, neck, face, tongue, and extremities.

Clonus · Frequent (79-30%)

A series of rhythmic and involuntary muscle contractions (at a frequency of about 5 to 7 Hz) that occur in response to an abruptly applied and sustained stretch.

Distal amyotrophy · Frequent (79-30%)

Muscular atrophy affecting muscles in the distal portions of the extremities.

Dysmetria · Frequent (79-30%)

A type of ataxia characterized by the inability to carry out movements with the correct range and motion across the plane of more than one joint related to incorrect estimation of the distances required for targeted movements.

Erratic myoclonus · Frequent (79-30%)

A type of myoclonus in which the myoclonias shift from body region to another in a random and asynchronous fashion. Erratic myoclonus can affect the face or limbs, are brief, single or repetitive, very frequent and nearly continuous.

Horizontal nystagmus · Frequent (79-30%)

Nystagmus consisting of horizontal to-and-fro eye movements.

Other findings in the same source

From: Orphanet

Additional reported features include Microcephaly (Frequent (79-30%)); Peripheral demyelination (Frequent (79-30%)); Short stature (Frequent (79-30%)); Spasticity (Frequent (79-30%)); Titubation (Frequent (79-30%)); Tremor (Frequent (79-30%)); Frequent falls (Frequent (79-30%)); Abnormal pyramidal sign (Occasional (29-5%)); Global developmental delay (Occasional (29-5%)); Hyperreflexia (Occasional (29-5%)). This is a selected summary, not a complete description of the condition.

When it may begin

From: Orphanet

Adolescent; Adult; Childhood; Elderly; Infancy

Inheritance in the source

From: Orphanet

Autosomal dominant; Autosomal recessive

Frequency and the population described

From: Orphanet

Reported case(s): 19.0; Worldwide. This is a published case count, not prevalence. Point prevalence: <1 / 1 000 000; Worldwide; Class only.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Autosomal spastic paraplegia type 58 is Neurology, with a neurologist as the relevant type of clinician. General physician / Family Medicine; paediatrician for children. Referral depends on symptoms.

Additional services that may be relevant, depending on the findings, include: Clinical Genetics.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• Which nervous-system findings help explain the symptoms?
• Would an assessment of walking, communication or daily function be helpful?
• Are rehabilitation or other specialist services relevant?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

The material gathered for this draft does not provide a complete condition-specific treatment pathway for Autosomal spastic paraplegia type 58. That gap does not mean that treatment is unavailable. A clinician needs to establish the diagnosis and review current guidance before recommending medicines, procedures, rehabilitation or other support.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

The collected references do not establish a complete prevention or long-term outlook section for this entry. Missing information should not be interpreted as proof that prevention is impossible or that a particular outcome is inevitable. Ask what is known for the exact subtype, stage and personal circumstances, and which uncertainties remain.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.