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Myasthenia gravis can cause camptocormia
  1. Hiroshi Kataoka,
  2. Takao Kiriyama,
  3. Satoshi Ueno
  1. Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
  1. Correspondence to Dr Kataoka, Department of Neurology, Nara Medical University 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara 634-8522, Japan; hk55{at}naramed-u.ac.jp

https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2011-300311

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    Introduction

    Camptocormia is characterised by an abnormal posture of the trunk with marked flexion of the thoracolumbar spine. The spinal curvature resolves when the affected individual lies in the supine position. Camptocormia can be associated with metabolic, spinal, neuromuscular, psychiatric, neurogenic and movement disorders.1 We describe an unusual patient with myasthenia gravis (MG) who had camptocormia that responded to edrophonium.

    Case report

    In February 2009, a 75-year-old woman with a history of hypertension and angina noticed lower extremity weakness, numbness below the trunk and forward flexion of the lumbar spine. In April, she underwent surgery to treat ossified thoracic yellow ligaments, and the numbness resolved. However, weakness and forward flexion of the lumbar spine gradually worsened, and in August she required a cane to walk. In October, she presented with dropped head. The severity of forward …

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests None.

    • Patient consent Obtained.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.