title: Flexion contractures of the legs as the initial manifestation of adrenocortical insufficiency.
abstract: A 51-year-old woman presented with flexion contractures of the legs. Physical examination showed decreased passive movements of the bilateral hip and knee joints without muscle spasms or neurological abnormalities. Laboratory evaluation showed no response of ACTH or plasma cortisol to stimulation with CRH or insulin. Diagnosis of isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency was made. The patient was started on prednisolone 5 mg daily, and flexion contractures of the legs rapidly disappeared. Although the musculoskeletal manifestation of this patient is similar to that of stiff-person syndrome, flexion contracture of the legs associated with adrenocortical insufficiency seems to be a separate disease entity from stiff-person syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto.
authors.forename: Takao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Odagaki
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: Tsuguya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukui
mesh_terms: D000309:Adrenal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000172:deficiency*; D003286:Contracture / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011239:Prednisolone