title: Rigidity and painful muscle spasms in a patient with probable myelitis.
abstract: We describe a case of continuous motor unit potential (MUP) activity of central origin (unlike stiff man syndrome and progressive encephalomyelitis) characterized clinically by rigidity, painful muscle spasms, abnormal postures and spinal myoclonus. The topography of the manifestations, the subacute and benign course, the presence of stable sequels 2 years after onset and a searching process of differential diagnosis lead us to attribute the condition to an inflammation of the cord, which makes the case of particular clinical interest.
authors.affiliation: I Clinica Neurologica, Università di Cagliari.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cannas
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tacconi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pinna
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Congia
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiaschi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009187:Myelitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011859:Radiography; D013035:Spasm / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging