title: Uncommon presentation of a common disorder.
abstract: We report about a young male who presented with generalized muscle stiffness, involving the limb, facial, and paraspinal muscles. The stiffness was severe enough to restrict all his daily activities, progressively increased with movements and also produced recurrent falls. This clinical picture resembled one of stiff person syndrome. As he had hypertrophy of calf muscles and generalized muscle tautness he was evaluated for other disorders which can resemble stiff person syndrome. Investigations revealed severe hypothyroidism with thyroid antibodies being elevated. This case is reported to highlight the fact that myopathy as a presenting manifestation of hypothyroidism can simulate stiff person syndrome. It is essential to identify the condition early as it recovers fully with treatment. Our patient responded well to thyroid replacement therapy and was able to lead a normal life.
authors: Institute of Neurology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, India.
authors: P R
authors: PR
authors: Sowmini
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Jawahar
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Bhanu
keywords: Action induced muscle spasms; hypothyroidism; muscle stiffness; stiff person syndrome
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