Camptocormia

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A patient with camptocormia

Camptocormia also known as bent spine syndrome is a usually organic disorder characterised by marked flexion (greater than 45 degrees) of the thoracolumbar spine that increases during the day and completely disappears when supine.

Terminology

The term comes from the Greek words "to bend" (kamptō) and "trunk" ("trunk").

Aetiology

Camptocormia can have a neurological or muscular origin. There are a multitude of causes.

Parkinson's disease: the most common cause (two third).
Other parkinsonian syndromes
Multisystem atrophy
Alzheimer's disease
Motor neuron disease
Myaesthenia
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Dystonia
Vascular lenticular lesions
Primary or secondary myopathy
Lumbar disc herniation
Osteoarthritis
Spinal trauma
Paraneoplasia
Medication side effects (olanzapine, donepezil, valproate, systemic steroids)

Epidemiology

In those with Parkinson's disease and camptocormia there is a male predominance, older age, longer duration of disease, and autonomic symptoms.^[1]

Clinical Features

As the day goes on or during walking there is a progressive marked flexion of the thoracolumbar spine. It is relieved by sitting and lying supine. It can also be relieved volitionally by extending the trunk when the patient leans against a wall. There may be associated lateral deviation of the trunk. In two thirds of patients there is a lumbar or thoracolumbar scoliosis.^[1]

Treatment

Treatment is usually unrewarding. Where possible treatment should be directed to the underlying cause.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Benatru, I.; Vaugoyeau, M.; Azulay, J.-P. (2008-12). "Postural disorders in Parkinson's disease". Neurophysiologie Clinique = Clinical Neurophysiology. 38 (6): 459–465. doi:10.1016/j.neucli.2008.07.006. ISSN 0987-7053. PMID 19026965. Check date values in: |date= (help)

Literature Review

Reviews from the last 7 years: review articles, free review articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, NCBI Bookshelf

Articles from all years: PubMed search, Google Scholar search.

TRIP Database: clinical publications about evidence-based medicine.

Other Wikis: Radiopaedia, Wikipedia Search, Wikipedia I Feel Lucky, Orthobullets,

[:0-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Benatru, I.; Vaugoyeau, M.; Azulay, J.-P. (2008-12). "Postural disorders in Parkinson's disease". Neurophysiologie Clinique = Clinical Neurophysiology. 38 (6): 459–465. doi:10.1016/j.neucli.2008.07.006. ISSN 0987-7053. PMID 19026965. Check date values in: |date= (help)

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