Abdominal wall weakness and lumboabdominal pain revealing neuroborreliosis: a report of three cases

Clin Rheumatol. 2001;20(6):447-50. doi: 10.1007/s100670170015.

Abstract

The authors report three cases of thoracic radiculoneuropathy disclosing neuroborreliosis. All three patients had low back and abdominal pain and two had marked abdominal wall paresis. EMG confirmed a motor involvement of the lower thoracic roots and CSF analysis revealed a lymphocytic meningitis in all three cases. Antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi were present in both the serum and the CSF. A favourable outcome was obtained in all three patients with appropriate antibiotherapy. The differential diagnosis of this misleading presentation is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Muscles*
  • Abdominal Pain / etiology*
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Biomarkers / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Borrelia burgdorferi / immunology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / etiology*
  • Lyme Neuroborreliosis*
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / complications*
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Paresis / etiology*
  • Polyradiculopathy / etiology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Biomarkers