Authors:
Anindya K Zahra
and
SM Mei Wulan
Affiliation:
Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia
Keyword(s):
Poliomyelitis, pain, diagnosis, rehabilitation, Indonesia
Abstract:
The diagnosis of residual poliomyelitis presented a clinical challenge due to the non-specific nature of symptoms. Here we report a case of a 13-year-old girl with poliomyelitis who was referred to our department with suspected Duchenne Muscular Distrophy. The disability was first noticed at the age of 9 months old. Later, she complained of inability to stand erect due to severe lower back pain and presented to orthopedic, pulmonology, endocrinology, pediatric, and neurology departments. Physical examination showed asymmetrical bilateral lower extremity weakness with decreased physiological reflexes and intact sensory function, accompanied with hip flexor and knee flexor contractures. She presented positive Gower’s sign and ambulated with a quadriceps gait. Electrodiagnostic study was performed with results of increased motor unit amplitude (giant potential) and duration, which were compatible with anterior horn disease. Temporal relationship between the onset of weakness and poliom
yelitis outbreak in Indonesia in 2005-2006, along with the patient’s clinical and electrophysiological features were consistent with the diagnosis of poliomyelitis. This case emphasizes the importance of maintaining awareness of poliomyelitis when facing patients with flaccid paralysis, regardless of the complaints
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