Case report
Steinert's syndrome presenting as anal incontinence: a case report
1 Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
2 Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Department of Neurology, Istanbul, Turkey
Journal of Medical Case Reports 2011, 5:371 doi:10.1186/1752-1947-5-371
Published: 12 August 2011Abstract
Introduction
Myotonic dystrophy (MD) or Steinert's syndrome is a rare cause of chronic diarrhea and anal incontinence. In the presence of chronic diarrhea and fecal incontinence with muscle weakness, neuromuscular disorders such as myotonic dystrophy should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Case Presentation
We present the case of a 45-year-old Turkish man with Steinert's syndrome, who was not diagnosed until the age of 45.
Conclusions
In clinical practice, the persistence of diarrhea and fecal incontinence with muscle weakness should suggest that the physician perform an anal manometric study and electromyography. Neuromuscular disorders such as myotonic dystrophy should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
