Hoffmann syndrome: A rare and reversible case of hypothyroid myopathy

Abstract

Hoffmann syndrome is a rare and reversible neurological manifestation of primary hypothyroidism presenting as proximal myopathy and hypertrophy of muscles. It usually presents late in the course of the disease. We hereby present the case of a young male who presented with long-standing weakness and fatigue in the lower limb. He was diagnosed to have proximal muscle weakness and pseudohypertrophy of calf muscles due to primary hypothyroidism. The muscle hypertrophy and muscle weakness receded following hormone replacement therapy with thyroid hormones. Such presentation can raise diagnostic dilemmas for us as clinicians. Hence, this case report emphasizes on simple screening of patients for hypothyroidism who present with symptoms of myopathy.