A 48-year-old man presented with slowly progressive right arm weakness and cervical
pain over the last 20 years. Previous electromyography/nerve conduction studies showed
a neurogenic pattern on the right cervical myotomes and he received the diagnosis
of focal motor neuron disease. No relevant family history was identified. On our initial
evaluation, an asymmetrical abdominal protrusion was noted as well as a mild right
arm weakness and atrophy ([Figure]), leading to the suspicion of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). A DNA test detected
a D4Z4 repeat contraction on chromosome 4qA, confirming the diagnosis. The frequency
of an asymmetrical protuberant abdomen in these patients is not known. Although more
than 80% of FSHD patients have affected abdominal muscles and 78% have some degree
of asymmetry shown in MRI evaluation, less than 3% present with asymmetrical abdominal
muscle involvement[1]. Even though it is an uncommon sign, the association of abdominal weakness and asymmetry
is a key feature to consider FSHD diagnosis, especially in milder forms[2].
Figure Right abdominal protuberance and right humeral atrophy.
