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Case Reports
. 2021 Nov 15;14(11):e244431.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-244431.

Isolated proximal weakness of the legs due to neuroborreliosis

Simone Nibourg  1 , Martijn Beudel  2 , Jeroen Trip  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Isolated proximal weakness of the legs due to neuroborreliosis

Simone Nibourg et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Proximal muscle weakness of the legs is a symptom with a broad differential diagnosis. It is mainly caused by neuromuscular disorders and is often a diagnostic challenge. Here, we present a 73-year-old man with isolated proximal weakness of the legs due to lumbar root involvement on the basis of neuroborreliosis. After treatment with intravenous antibiotics he recovered completely. This is the first described case with isolated proximal muscle weakness of the legs due to neuroborreliosis. Despite the fact neuroborreliosis is a rare cause of proximal muscle weakness of the legs, clinicians should include it in their differential diagnosis, especially since it is a treatable condition.

Keywords: infection (neurology); muscle disease.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

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