stiff-man syndrome

Etiology

• autoimmune disease (suspected)
• associated neoplasms
  • breast cancer
  • lung cancer
  • thymoma

Epidemiology

rare

Clinical manifestations

• recurrent & uncontrollable contractions of proximal limb muscles following slight provocation
• the muscle spasms are extremely painful
• limbs are rigid & immobile during a spasm

Laboratory

• antibodies against pancreatic islet cells found in high titer
• antibodies against AMPH
• CRMP-5 antibody

Management

• diazepam
• baclofen
• phenytoin
• clonidine
• tizanidine
• intravenous immune globulin
• physical therapy

More general terms

• paraneoplastic syndrome

Additional terms

• anti-islet cell antibody (ICA)

Patient information

stiff man syndrome patient information