GMS German Medical Science (Jul 2005)

Hoffmann's syndrome: a case report

  • Ibrahim, Mohammad,
  • Rather, Abdul Rashid,
  • Hussain, Showkat,
  • Kundal, Darshan Lal,
  • Tak, Shahid,
  • Ahmad, Manzoor,
  • Kak, Manish,
  • Kadri, Syed Manzoor,
  • Khan, Ghulam Qadir,
  • Hassan, Ghulam,
  • Qureshi, Waseem,
  • Sikander, Sabia

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3
p. Doc05

Abstract

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This syndrome is characterized by the presence of hypothyroidism with myxoedema, muscle stiffness and pseudo hypertrophy. We describe the disorder in a 21 year old male, who got admitted with complaints of generalized weakness, cold intolerance, constipation, and hoarse voice, difficulty in walking and progressive enlargement of muscles of thighs and back with crampy pains for two years. Examination revealed mild mental retardation, enlarged tongue, dry and rough skin, enlargement of thighs and back muscles, motor weakness in flexors of hips and knees with delayed relaxation of deep tendon reflexes. Investigations revealed evidence of hypothyroidism with marked elevation of muscle enzymes. Following institution of replacement therapy with thyroxine, the patient showed marked clinical and biochemical improvements after six months, but insignificant decrease in muscle mass. In this report we review relevant literature.

Keywords