抄録
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular disease that affects both upper motor neurons and lower motor neurons.
Here is a case of ALS with predominantly bulbar involvement. The patient is a 63-year-old male. He was referred to the Department of Oral Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine with chief complaints of inability to speak clearly and difficulty in eating. On oral examination, atrophy and muscular fasciculation in the tongue were found. There was no loss of aberrations in taste. Except for dysphagia and masticatory disturbance. he had no difficulty practicing his profession. Subseqently, he was diagnosed by the neurologist as having progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) in a motor neuron disease.
When the onset of ALS is predominantly bulbar in origin, the patient may first consult a dentist because of the oralfacial symptoms of dysphagia, dysarthria, masticatory disturbance, and muscular weakness. It is important for the dentist to recognize a motor disability and to control the condition without neglecting the nature and severity of the disease.
