Diabetes coexistent with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease presenting as a recurrent foot ulcer misdiagnosed as diabetic foot: A case report

Abstract

Both diabetes mellitus and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) can lead to severe peripheral neuropathy. The differential diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is difficult due to the similar clinical features. There are still some clues, such as unusual muscle atrophy, unmatched severity of peripheral neurogenic damage with nephropathy or retinopathy, which could alert clinicians to make differential diagnosis. Although diabetes mellitus is rarely concurrent with CMT, it will exacerbate clinical disorders in patients with CMT. To date, there is no specific medicine for CMT treatment. Offloading devices and desirable comprehensive management of diabetes mellitus might be beneficial to avoid plantar ulcer recurrence and anti-progression of CMT.

Keywords: Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease; diabetic foot; peripheral neuropathy.

Figure 1

The lesions of feet and magnetic resonance imaging of distal lower limbs and feet. (a) Pes cavus and hammer‐toe; (b) desquamation, callus and plantar ulcer 1 cm in diameter on the anterolateral right foot; extensive intramuscular fat accumulation (white arrow) in (c) the tibialis anterior muscle, peroneus longus and (d) plantar muscle.