Benign Focal Amyotrophy or Monomelic Amyotrophy

To the Editor.  —We read with interest the letter entitled "Benign Focal Amyotrophy," by Bertorini et al.¹ The suggestion of the authors to use this name, since it emphasizes the benign nature of the disease, has to be considered. This recommendation is based on their experience with six patients.²In our initial report of 23 cases,³ having been impressed by the striking feature of restriction of muscle atrophy and weakness to one limb, either upper or lower, we felt that the term monomelic amyotrophy was more descriptive than juvenile muscular atrophy of unilateral upper extremity, suggested by Hirayama et al.⁴ Furthermore, the lack of spread to other limbs, even in patients with duration of illness extending ten to 15 years, provides additional support for the use of the term monomelic amyotrophy. A recent report describing 27 patients seen at this institute reiterates this contention.⁵