PubMed1989
A young woman with acute intermittent porphyria is described. She was admitted in a prolonged attack and had developed a flaccid quadriplegia. During the course she showed various manifestations of the autonomic nervous system, including pupils, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and others. On admission her pupils were equally mydriatic, and reacted to light sluggishly. Dilation of the pupils was seen when cocaine was instilled, but not when adrenalin. It was suggested that the parasympathetic control of pupils was disturbed. She complained repeatedly abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. However, diarrhea was rarely found. Radiological examinations revealed that her bowel movements were markedly impaired. Sinus tachycardia and elevation of blood pressure were frequently observed with attacks, and they correlated with the clinical course. With tachycardia the coefficient variance of R-R interval was markedly decreased, and large dose of atropine failed to accelerate the heart rate. These indicate that the vagal function was markedly impaired with attacks. The effects of isoproterenol and of propranolol on the heart rate were normal. Phenylephrine and phentolamine changed the blood pressure normally. From these it was concluded that the sympathetic nervous function was not so impaired at the time examined. However, with the elevation of blood pressure plasma and urinary noradrenaline were markedly increased. Other autonomic and related manifestations observed during the course included disorders of sweating, loss of sphincter control, fever of unknown cause and amenorrhea.