title: A new syndrome of axial muscle rigidity associated with etretinate therapy.
abstract: We report on three cases of a novel syndrome associated with treatment for psoriasis with the retinoid etretinate. The distinctive features of this syndrome include rigidity that is restricted to the axial muscles, impairment of neck extension greater than flexion, impairment of anteflexion at the waist, severe impairment of lateral flexion at both the waist and the neck, and, in one case, rigidity of proximal lower extremity muscles. Peripheral nerve block extinguished the lower extremity rigidity in one patient, and two patients had a favorable response to Sinemet. One patient had persistence of symptoms and findings 2 years after discontinuation of etretinate. The clinical features of this syndrome are consistent with an effect of etretinate on central, possible catecholaminergic neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Albin
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Voorhees
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Albers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001415:Back / Q000503:physiopathology; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005050:Etretinate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009127:Muscle Rigidity / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C009265:carbidopa, levodopa drug combination; D007980:Levodopa; D005050:Etretinate; D002230:Carbidopa