Camptocormia: A Rare Axial Myopathy Disease

INTRODUCTION

Camptocormia [from the Greek words: kamptos (to bend) and kormos (trunk)] is characterized by an abnormal posture of the trunk; the condition involves forced thoraco-lumbar flexion that increases during walking and disappears in the recumbent position.1

Camptocormia was first described by Brodie in 1818,2,3 who suggested that lumbar pain and abnormal curvature of the spine might be caused both by destruction of the vertebrae and by hysterical reactions. In 1915, the term “camptocormia” was proposed for this abnormal posture.4

Although early cases were assumed to be psychogenic in origin, several reports of organic causes of camptocormia have been described in lesions affecting the lenticular nucleus,5 Parkinson’s disease,6,7 dystonia,8 and neuromuscular disorders,9,10 as well as paraneoplastic syndrome,11 inclusion body myositis,12 drug-induced camptocormia,13 and Grave’s disease.14

This present case provides clear evidence for camptocormia of organic rather than psychogenic origin.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 78-year-old Japanese female patient presented with a complaint of lower back pain. She reported that from the age of 66, she had found it progressively more difficult to maintain an erect orthostatic posture. She reported no family history of similar disorders.

Gait analysis showed trunk flexion and drooping arms (Figure 1A). In contrast, when she was allowed to hold onto a table, she could maintain an erect posture; in addition, the thoraco-lombar spine flexion disappeared when she lay down (Figures 1B and 1C). Lower limb strength was normal. Physical examination of the spine was normal, without scoliosis, cifosis, or lordosis. There were no signs or symptoms of any primary neurologic pathology.

Figure 1.

Patient with camptocormia (A) whose posture markedly improved when when she was allowed to hold onto a table, (B) or when she lay in a supine position (C)

A computerized tomography (CT) scan of the lower lumbarand sacral spine showed usualdegenerative changes in intervertebral disks, facets, and vertebrae as well asparaspinal muscle atrophy.

An electrophysiological study revealed severe chronic symmetric myopathy affecting the lumbosacral paravertebral muscle, and no abnormalities of the lower extremities.

A localized muscle biopsy revealed muscle tissue atrophy without any inflammation.

Laboratory analysis gave results within normal ranges.

The patient received conservative treatment with orthesis and physiotherapy support, and the level of back pain was stabilized.

DISCUSSION

Camptocormia is a syndrome confined to the extensor muscles of the spine. There are usually no other motor or sensory symptoms. Lumbar radicular nerves are unaffected. However, some patients may suffer mild discomfort in the lower back. Moreover, some authors suggest that symptoms may not occur unless there is also hip flexion contracture.16

Radiological analysis of the thoraco-lumbar spine by MRI or CT can reveal paraspinal muscle atrophy heterogeneous in appearance, with progressive replacement of paraspinal muscles with fat17 Electromyography findings are not uniform. Both myogenic and neurogenic features of the disease have been reported.16

Unfortunately, effective treatment is unavailable. In very few cases, patients respond to electrotherapy or to corticosteroid medication, but most cases fail to respond to any treatment.18 Deep brain stimulation of the medial globus pallidus interna has been claimed to produce a gradual but partial improvement, which supports the notion of segmental dystonia.18 Some pharmacologic treatments attempted so far include anticholinergics, amantadine, dopamine agonists, muscle relaxants, and tetrabenazine, but these have not led to improvement in posture.1

In the present case, the patient received conservative treatment, with orthesis and physiotherapy support, and the back pain stopped worsening.