INTRODUCTION: The camptocormia (bent spine) is characterized by a severe forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine which disappears in the supine position. Clinical case. We describe a typical case observed in a parkinsonian patient. The MRI, electromyogram and biopsy of the paraspinal muscles revealed a typical myositis pattern. DISCUSSION: This case, the sixth published to our knowledge, confirms that focal myositis is associated with the camptocormia in Parkinson's disease. Typically it is observed in male subjects, appearing 4 to 6 years after the onset of Parkinson's disease, in fluctuating patients treated by an association of L-Dopa and agonist. It appears quickly and becomes the most important symptom. Antiparkinsonian drugs are useless. CONCLUSION: This exceptional picture raises original pathophysiological and therapeutic questions. Systematic studies should be performed in order to detail the pathophysiological link between these 3 entities: Parkinson's disease, focal myositis and camptocormia.
INTRODUCTION: The camptocormia (bent spine) is characterized by a severe forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine which disappears in the supine position. Clinical case. We describe a typical case observed in a parkinsonianpatient. The MRI, electromyogram and biopsy of the paraspinal muscles revealed a typical myositis pattern. DISCUSSION: This case, the sixth published to our knowledge, confirms that focal myositis is associated with the camptocormia in Parkinson's disease. Typically it is observed in male subjects, appearing 4 to 6 years after the onset of Parkinson's disease, in fluctuating patients treated by an association of L-Dopa and agonist. It appears quickly and becomes the most important symptom. Antiparkinsonian drugs are useless. CONCLUSION: This exceptional picture raises original pathophysiological and therapeutic questions. Systematic studies should be performed in order to detail the pathophysiological link between these 3 entities: Parkinson's disease, focal myositis and camptocormia.
Authors: A-C Lepoutre; D Devos; A Blanchard-Dauphin; V Pardessus; C-A Maurage; D Ferriby; J-F Hurtevent; A Cotten; A Destée; L Defebvre Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2006-05-30 Impact factor: 10.154