An Unusual Presentation of Dermatomyositis With Muscle Hypertrophy

Abstract

Peripheral nerve hyperexcitability is a rare disorder characterized by spontaneous motor unit activity. Although peripheral nerve hyperexcitability is seen in multiple immune-mediated neurological conditions, an association with dermatomyositis has rarely been reported. We present a 65-year-old woman with serological and muscle biopsy features of dermatomyositis who also developed marked muscle hypertrophy, stiffness, and delayed relaxation along with electrodiagnostic features of peripheral nerve hyperexcitability such as that seen in Isaacs syndrome.

Keywords: dermatomyositis; isaacs syndrome; malignancy; muscle hypertrophy; neuromyotonia.