Camptocormia with Transient Ischemic Attack.

Dear Editor,

Camptocormia is a condition characterized by an abnormal flexion of the thoracolumbar spine, which appears while standing or walking. It is associated with several clinical conditions, such as parkinsonism, dystonia and neuromuscular disorders [1]. In addition, camptocormia is a side effect of neuroleptic and anti-parkinsonian drugs. In rare cases, patients with trauma, arthritis, or malignancy may present camptocormia [2].

We present the case of a 66-year-old female who had transient and repeated camptocormia with an acute onset. Five days prior to presentation, episodes of marked camptocormia during standing and walking began. The patient reported that she was unable to maintain upright posture (nearly 80° painless forward flexion) and her gait festinated. Her symptoms spontaneously disappeared without any medical treatment after approximately twenty minutes but reoccurred three more times. The patient had hypertension and diabetes mellitus that were not well controlled. She did not have a history of smoking. She had not taken any antipsychotic medications other than an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

Upon admission, no abnormalities were found on her physical and neurological examination. The results from laboratory tests for complete blood cell and platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood electrolytes, creatinine, liver enzymes, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, prothrombin, and partial thromboplastin time were normal. In addition, autoantibody screens for vasculitis were also normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of her brain revealed multiple hyperintensities in both subcortical white matter, while magnetic resonance angiography showed no definite intracranial and extracranial stenoses (Figure 1). Neither an electrocardiogram nor a transthoracic echocardiogram revealed cardiac abnormalities. A 99mTc-ethylcysteinate dimer single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan of the brain both at baseline and after acetazolamide showed a decrease in cerebral blood flow in the left parietal cortex without vascular reserve (Figure 1). No abnormalities were found using electromyography on the cervical and thoracolumbar muscles.

Figure 1.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the patient’s brain showed multiple hyperintensities in subcortical white matter (A) and magnetic resonance angiography showed no definite intracranial and extracranial stenoses (B). 99mTc-ethylcysteinate dimer single photon emission computed tomography scan of the brain at baseline (C) and after acetazolamide (D) showed a decrease in cerebral blood flow in the left parietal cortex without vascular reserve.

After the patient was treated with 100 mg aspirin, transient camptocormia disappeared during a 10-month follow-up period.

Although the pathophysiology of camptocormia is not currently clear, two provisional pathomechanisms have been suggested. Camptocormia could result from central neurodegenerative disorders, principally Parkinson’s disease, or peripheral mechanisms associated with primary musculo-skeletal disorders [1-3].

There have been few reports of secondary and acute camptocormia associated with putaminal vascular lesions [4]. In this case study, the patient complained of transient and repeated camptocormia. We cannot be entirely sure of other conditions for the transient occurrence of the patient’s symptoms, such as epileptic or psychological origins; however, we believe that vascular etiology may be fit to explain this phenomenon from a nosological perspective. The mechanism underlying camptocormia in our patient is unknown. Although ischemic lesions were not found, SPECT imaging of her brain revealed decreased perfusions in the left parietal cortex. Somatosensory, vestibular, and visual sensations are integrated at the temporoparietal and posterior parietal cortices. The posterior parietal cortex and its connection to the frontal lobe play an essential role in maintaining body schema [5,6]. Thus, potential explanations for camptocormia in this patient are transient ischemia in the left parietal lobe and impairment in the parietofrontal connection for anticipatory postural control [7].

In summary, this case suggests that vascular disturbances of the parietal cortex may cause camptocormia. Taken together, this case may aid in our understanding of the relationship between brain lesions and the etiology of camptocormia, although a cause-and-effect relationship cannot be completely proven.