title: Sudden spasms following gradual lordosis--the stiff-person syndrome.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Adult Hydrocephalus Program, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Robin K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Beth B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Murinson
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D005968:Glutamate Decarboxylase