Posterior Column Ataxia With Retinitis Pigmentosa

Syndrome that is characterised by the association of progressive sensory ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa. Around 20 cases have been described in the last 50 years. Onset of symptoms usually occurs in childhood. The clinical picture is progressive, homogenous and includes severe sensory ataxia, proprioceptive loss (affecting the iliac crest, upper limbs and thorax), generalised areflexia and diffuse pigmentary retinopathy leading to blindness. Scoliosis, camptodactyly, achalasia and/or gastrointestinal motility dysfunction may also be present. The disease is associated with degeneration of the posterior column of the spinal cord. The causative gene, FLVCR1 (1q32.3), has been identified and localised to the AXPC1 locus (1q32-q31).