Progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus in an 81-year-old patient

Markus Kraemer; Peter Berlit

doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2007.10.004

Progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus in an 81-year-old patient

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2008 Mar;110(3):279-81. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2007.10.004. Epub 2007 Nov 28.

Authors

Markus Kraemer¹, Peter Berlit

Affiliation

¹ Department of Neurology, Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach Hospital, Alfried-Krupp-Strasse 21, D-45117 Essen, Germany. [email protected]

PMID: 18053587
DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2007.10.004

Abstract

We present the case of an 81-year-old female with severe rigidity, stiffness and superimposed muscle spasms that represents the oldest reported patient with progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus. Two associated autoimmune disorders (diabetes mellitus and Hashimoto's thyoiditis) were recently diagnosed. A paraneoplastic origin was excluded. The spectrum of differential diagnoses including classic Stiff-Person syndrome and paraneoplastic Stiff-Person syndrome is discussed.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Aged, 80 and over
Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
Baclofen / therapeutic use
Electromyography
Encephalomyelitis / complications
Encephalomyelitis / pathology*
Female
Gait Disorders, Neurologic / etiology
Humans
Immunoglobulins / therapeutic use
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Muscle Relaxants, Central / therapeutic use
Muscle Rigidity / etiology
Muscle Rigidity / pathology*
Myoclonus / etiology
Myoclonus / pathology*
Neurologic Examination
Prednisone / therapeutic use

Substances

Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Immunoglobulins
Muscle Relaxants, Central
Baclofen
Prednisone