Neurológia pre prax 5/2021

Cauda equina syndrome in a different light

We report a case of a patient with clinical symptoms resembling cauda equina syndrome, however, with a negative finding on imaging studies. Due to severe pain and progressive limb weakness, a series of examinations were performed based on which dermatomyositis was suspected. Despite intensive care and causal treatment with corticoids, the patient expired. Histopathological changes characteristic for polyarteritis nodosa were observed postmortem. Polyarteritis nodosa is a rare disease which may be neglected in the differential diagnosis for inflammatory myopathies.

Keywords: cauda equina syndrome, dermatomyositis, polyarteritis nodosa