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Journal of Medical Case Reports

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Case report

Monomelic amyotrophy with proximal upper limb involvement: a case report

Authors: Eman Al-Ghawi, Talal Al-Harbi, Adnan Al-Sarawi, Mohamed Binfalah

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Monomelic amyotrophy is an uncommon, benign, unilateral disorder of the lower motor neurons, affecting predominantly the hand and forearm muscles. Proximal involvement of the arm and shoulder muscles is an unusual presentation that has been rarely reported in the literature.

Case presentation

A 28-year-old white man presented with insidious-onset, slowly progressive, unilateral weakness and atrophy of his left shoulder girdle and deltoid muscles. A neurological examination revealed weakness and atrophy in his left deltoid, infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscles. Electromyography demonstrated an active and chronic neurogenic pattern affecting his left C5 and C6 myotomes; magnetic resonance imaging of his cervical spine was normal. He did well with conservative treatment.

Conclusions

Upper limb proximal form of monomelic amyotrophy is a rare clinical entity with a wide differential diagnosis. Physicians, especially neurologists, should be familiar with this benign condition to avoid inappropriately labeling patients as having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other disorders with less favorable outcomes.

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Title: Monomelic amyotrophy with proximal upper limb involvement: a case report
Authors: Eman Al-Ghawi
Talal Al-Harbi
Adnan Al-Sarawi
Mohamed Binfalah
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-016-0843-5

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Monomelic amyotrophy with proximal upper limb involvement: a case report

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusions

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