Cramp fasciculation syndrome
Cramp fasciculation syndrome (CFS) is a rare[1] peripheral nerve hyperexcitability disorder. It is more severe than the related (and common) disorder known as benign fasciculation syndrome; it causes fasciculations, cramps, pain, fatigue, and muscle stiffness similar to those seen in neuromyotonia (another related condition).[2] Patients with CFS, like those with neuromyotonia, may also experience paresthesias.[3] Most cases of cramp fasciculation syndrome are idiopathic.[4]
Cramp fasciculation syndrome is diagnosed by clinical examination and electromyography (EMG).[5] Fasciculation is the only abnormality[6] (if any)[7] seen with EMG. Cramp fasciculation syndrome is a chronic condition.[8] Treatment options include anti-seizure medications such as carbamazepine, immunosuppressive drugs and plasmapheresis.[4]
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms are very similar to those found in benign fasciculation syndrome and include:[9]
- Fasciculations (Primary Symptom)
- Muscle cramping (Primary Symptom) [10]
- Muscle pain
- Muscle Stiffness
- Generalized fatigue
- Anxiety
- Exercise intolerance
- Globus sensations
- Paraesthesias.[11]
- Hyperreflexia
Diagnosis
The procedure of diagnosis for Cramp Fasciculation Syndrome (CFS) is closely aligned with the diagnosis procedure for benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS). The differentiation between a diagnosis of BFS versus CFS is usually more severe and prominent pain, cramps and stiffness associated with CFS.
Treatment
Treatment is similar to treatment for benign fasciculation syndrome.
Carbamazepine therapy has been found to provide moderate reductions in symptoms.[9]
References
- ^ Jansen, P. H. P.; Dijck, J. A. A. M.; Verbeek, A. L. M.; Durian, F. W.; Joosten, E. M. G. (1991). "Estimation of the frequency of the muscular pain-fasciculation syndrome and the muscular cramp-fasciculation syndrome in the adult population". European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. 241 (2): 102–4. doi:10.1007/BF02191150. PMID 1834178.
- ^ Ropper, Allan H.; Brown, Robert H. (2005). "Disorders of Muscle Characterized by Cramp, Spasm, Pain, and Localized Masses". Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology (8th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 1277–8. ISBN 978-0-07-141620-7.
- ^ Hart, Ian K.; Maddison, Paul; Newsom‐Davis, John; Vincent, Angela; Mills, Kerry R. (2002). "Phenotypic variants of autoimmune peripheral nerve hyperexcitability". Brain. 125 (8): 1887–95. doi:10.1093/brain/awf178. PMID 12135978.
- ^ a b Lagueny, A (2005). "Cramp-fasciculation syndrome". Revue neurologique. 161 (12 Pt 1): 1260–6. PMID 16340924.
- ^ Washington University in St. Louis, Neuromuscular: Cramp-Fasciculation Syndromes, http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/mother/activity.html#crampfas
- ^ Tahmoush, AJ; Alonso, RJ; Tahmoush, GP; Heiman-Patterson, TD (1991). "Cramp-fasciculation syndrome: a treatable hyperexcitable peripheral nerve disorder". Neurology. 41 (7): 1021–4. doi:10.1212/wnl.41.7.1021. PMID 1648679.
- ^ TeleEMG website, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)/Motor Neuron Disease, Page 2 http://www.teleemg.com/new/als2.htm
- ^ de Entrambasaguas, Manuel; Ortega-Albás, Juan-José; Martínez-Lozano, María-Dolores; Díaz, José-Ramón (2006). "Bronchial involvement in the cramp-fasciculation syndrome". European neurology. 56 (2): 124–6. doi:10.1159/000095703. PMID 16960453.
- ^ a b Tahmoush, A. J.; Alonso, R. J.; Tahmoush, G. P.; Heiman-Patterson, T. D. (1991). "Cramp-fasciculation syndrome: A treatable hyperexcitable peripheral nerve disorder". Neurology. 41 (7): 1021–4. doi:10.1212/wnl.41.7.1021. PMID 1648679.
- ^ Allan H. Ropper; Robert H. Brown. "Chapter 55. Disorders of Muscle". Adams and Victor's Principles of Neurology (8th ed.). pp. 1277–1278.
- ^ Hart, I.; Maddison, P.; Newsom-Davis, J.; Vincent, A.; Mills, K. R. (August 2002). "Phenotypic Variants of Autoimmune Peripheral Nerve Hyperexcitability". Brain. 125 (8): 1887–1895. doi:10.1093/brain/awf178. PMID 12135978.