neurologic disorders
Stiff Person Syndrome
Key Points
There are 3 types of stiff-person syndrome: autoimmune, paraneoplastic, and idiopathic. Stiff-person syndrome affects the CNS but causes progressive muscle stiffness, rigidity, and spasms, mainly in the trunk and abdomen. Diagnose based on symptoms, response todiazepam, and results of antibody testing and EMG studies. Treat withdiazepamor, if it is ineffective,baclofen; other options include IVIG,rituximab, and plasma exchange. 