英文摘要 |
When a patient meets the diagnostic criteria of at least two connective tissue diseases, he/she is described as having an overlap syndrome. We herein reported a patient with systemic sclerosis-polymyositis overlap syndrome, with dropped head as the presenting sign of polymyositis. A 52-year-old woman experienced persistent and progressive neck muscle weakness within a month of being diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, with an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and muscle enzymes such as creatine kinase. Electromyography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis with new-onset polymyositis, following the exclusion of other conditions. Dropped head was relieved by the early introduction of immunosuppressants such as medium-dose corticosteroids. The clinical manifestations of systemic sclerosispolymyositis overlap syndrome are highly heterogeneous, and dropped head syndrome with neck muscle weakness has rarely been reported. Therefore, when atypical symptoms of connective tissue diseases or signs of multiple connective tissue diseases occur, overlap syndromes should be suspected. It is hoped that this rare case report will raise awareness of overlap syndromes and improve their diagnosis and treatment, thereby preventing the disease from threatening life or impairing the quality of life. |