[Stiff-person syndrome: a clinical observation]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Clinical Case Study

Background:

• Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare chronic autoimmune neurological disease.
• Characterized by progressive muscle rigidity and painful spasms affecting axial and appendicular muscles.

Observation:

• Presents a unique clinical case of a 23-year-old patient diagnosed with SPS.
• The patient exhibited typical SPS symptoms including spinal, abdominal, and cervical muscle stiffness, increased extensor muscle tone, and paravertebral muscle rigidity.

Findings:

• The case is notable for the additional presence of left-sided upper extremity monoparesis.
• This monoparesis is hypothesized to result from left-sided compression-ischemic brachial plexopathy.
• The brachial plexopathy is likely secondary to severe muscular tonic syndrome in the neck and shoulder girdles.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of potential neurological complications associated with Stiff-person syndrome.
• Highlights the importance of considering secondary brachial plexopathy in SPS patients presenting with limb weakness.
• Suggests a potential link between severe tonic muscle syndromes and peripheral nerve compromise.