Rigid spine syndrome with selective respiratory muscle weakness

Rigid spine syndrome is a rare myopathy characterized by mild axial and proximal muscle weakness, limitation of neck and trunk flexion, scoliosis and mild joint contractures. We describe a 20-year-old woman with this syndrome who developed severe respiratory muscle failure disproportionate to the well-preserved extremity muscles. Nocturnal home care ventilation has completely restored her arterial oxygen desaturation during a 5-year follow-up.