Stiff Person Syndrome Misdiagnosed as Oxaliplatin Induced Neurotoxicity

Abstract

Introduction: Stiff person syndrome is characterized by muscle rigidity that waxes and wanes along with concurrent spasms. The symptoms of the stiff-person syndrome were identical to those of oxaliplatin side effects. Methods: This was a case report of a 65-year-old man who was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome. He experienced pain with bleeding from the rectum. Screening tests were used to check foramphiphysin antibodies and electromyography. FNAC was done from the government hospital which was conclusive of metastasis. He was initiated on Capecitabine and Oxaliplatin protocol. Results: During the hospital stay, he was treated with 1gm Methylprednisolone for 5 days and sequentially with immunoglobulin 2gm per day for 5 days, concomitantly Benzodiazepam was given 10mg three times a day for 3 days but later withdrawn as the patient started experiencing dizziness. He achieved no clinical benefit in neurological status. Eventually developed aspiration pneumonia and succumbed to death after one month of diagnosis of SPS. Conclusion: Further studies should carry out to develop an evidence-based approach to diagnosing and treating SPS patients.