Stiff-Person Syndrome: Diagnostic Difficulty
10.14193/jkfas.2019.23.3.131
- Author:
Jeong Kil LEE
1
;
Chan KANG
;
Sang Bum KIM
;
Byung Kuk AN
;
Gi Soo LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea. gs1899@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Stiff-person syndrome;
Leg;
Spasm;
Autoimmune disease;
Autoantibodies
- MeSH:
Autoantibodies;
Autoimmune Diseases;
Benzodiazepines;
Diagnosis;
Electromyography;
Gait;
Humans;
Leg;
Lower Extremity;
Muscle Tonus;
Natural History;
Recurrence;
Spasm;
Stiff-Person Syndrome
- From:Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
2019;23(3):131-134
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Stiff-person syndrome is a rare disorder, and the natural history of the syndrome has not been completely ascertained. The symptoms range from mild to severe and can progress over time: the final result can be significant disability. However, this syndrome is often misdiagnosed due to a lack of understanding of the clinical manifestations. We report the case of a patient who presented with slowly progressing gait disturbance and lower extremity pain and was later diagnosed as suffering from stiff-person syndrome. The patient experienced symptomatic improvement after the administration of benzodiazepines. No recurrence of symptoms has been reported. If the characteristic clinical features and electromyography findings of the syndrome are accurately interpreted, diagnosis of patients with abnormal muscle tension can be effectively done.
