Síndrome del hombre en el barril: manifestación atípica de la arteritis de células gigantes / "Man-in-the-barrel" syndrome: atypical manifestation of giant cell arteritis

RESUMEN

Conclusiones. Si bien las manifestaciones clínicas típicas de la arteritis de células gigantes son cefalea, claudicación mandibular, pérdida visual, síntomas constitucionales y polimialgia reumática, se debe sospechar su presencia en pacientes mayores de 50 años que manifiesten alteraciones del nervio periférico, entre ellas, diplejía braquial sin otra causa demostrable

ABSTRACT

Introduction. "Man-in-the-barrel" syndrome refers to diplegia of the upper extremities in which mobility of the head and lower limbs is preserved. Brachial plexitis that presents as "man-in-the-barrel" syndrome is an unusual manifestation of giant cell arteritis. We report a case of C5-C6 plexitis as part of the clinical features of a patient with giant cell arteritis. CASE. Report A 70-year-old male with a two-month history of weight loss, headache, facial pain and jaw claudication, associated with a persistent elevation of acute phase reactants and bilateral brachial plexopathy, with no evidence of neck or brain injuries or occult neoplasm and with negative autoimmunity tests. Results of the biopsy study of the temporal artery were compatible with giant cell arteritis, and the positron emission tomography scan revealed extensive vascular involvement of the aorta and its branches. Cconclusions: Although the typical clinical manifestations of giant cell arteritis are headache, jaw claudication, loss of sight, constitutional symptoms and polymyalgia rheumatica, its presence must be suspected in patients over the age of 50 who manifest alterations affecting the peripheral nerve, including brachial diplegia with no other demonstrable cause