A Case of Painful Legs and Moving ToesSyndrome Responsive to Gabapentin

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 18(6); 2000 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2000;18(6): 805-807.

Gabapentin으로 호전된 난치성 Painful Legs and Moving Toes 증후군 1예

박광열, 오경미 ·이은아 ·이원용

성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성서울병원 신경과학교실

A Case of Painful Legs and Moving ToesSyndrome Responsive to Gabapentin

Kwang-Yeol Park, M.D., Kyung Mi Oh, M.D., Eun Ah Lee, M.D., Won Yong Lee, M.D.

Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine

Abstract

The syndrome of painful legs and moving toes (PLMT) is a rare movement disorder characterized by severe burning pain in legs associated with peculiar involuntary movements of toes and is difficult to treat. A 70-year-old woman pre-sented with severe lancinating pain in the area below both knees and involuntary movements of both toes for 18 months. The pain in her legs was not relieved by motion. The involuntary movements comprised flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction of toes with occasional rotatory movements of both feet continuing while awake. She had a history of laminectomy of the lower lumbar spine about 15 years ago. Electromyography findings were consistent with chronic lumbosacral polyradiculopathy. Benzodiazepines, carbamazepine, baclofen, and anti-depressants were not effective in reducing her symptoms. However, gabapentin relieved the sensory and motor symptoms significantly. This is the first case of PLMT syndrome reported in Korea which showed a dramatic response to gabapentin.J Korean Neurol Assoc 18(6):805~807, 2000Key Words Manuscript received June 19,2000.