Sudden spasms following gradual lordosis--the stiff-person syndrome.
BACKGROUND
A 28-year-old woman presented to hospital after an episode of severe lower back spasms that occurred during a stressful family gathering. She had a history of progressive difficulty bending forward and increasing lumbar lordosis.


METHODS
Physical examination, spine MRI scan, abdominal and pelvic ultrasound, electromyogram, nerve conduction studies, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, breast examination, Pap smear, transabdominal and endovaginal ultrasound.


METHODS
Stiff-person syndrome with high titer of antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase.


METHODS
Benzodiazepines and intravenous immunoglobulins.
Wilson
Robin K
RK
Johns Hopkins Adult Hydrocephalus Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Murinson
Beth B
BB
D000328:Adult; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008141:Lordosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013035:Spasm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016750:Stiff-Person Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy
D001323:Autoantibodies; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase