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Spinal rigidity following acute myelitis
Author(s) -
Brown Peter,
Quinn Niall P.,
Barnes David,
Wren Damien R.,
Marsden C. David
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.870120635
Subject(s) - spinal cord , medicine , myelitis , spasticity , reflex , motor unit , physical medicine and rehabilitation , central nervous system disease , electromyography , encephalomyelitis , psychology , anesthesia , neuroscience , anatomy , surgery , central nervous system
A patient with a 2½‐year history of painful spasms and rigidity of both lower limbs is described. Symptoms began after an episode of acute myelitis. The spasms—which were spontaneous and stimulus sensitive and occurred on voluntary action—involved the repetitive grouped discharge of motor units. Continuous motor unit activity was present at rest in the muscles of both legs, and cutaneomuscular reflexes were abnormal. This patient is similar to those recently reported as having stiffness and spasms of the legs due to a possible chronic spinal interneuronitis and provides further evidence that this kind of movement disorder may be caused by spinal cord pathology.