Delayed diagnosis of brain tumor in a patient with flexor spasms and spastic foot drop

Abstract

Flexor spasms are involuntary muscle contractions comprising dorsiflexion at the ankle and flexion at the knee and the hip, occurring as a result of nociceptive spinal release reflex. The presence of flexor spasms generally suggests a lesion in the spinal cord. Foot drop is usually seen with lesions of lumbosacral roots, peripheral nerves or muscles. We hereby present a patient with a rare combination of spastic foot drop and flexor spasms due to a brain tumor. The possible underlying pathophysiological mechanisms resulting in flexor spasms due to a cerebral lesion are briefly discussed.

Can a stroke present with flexor spasms? A highly rare experience

“…Flexor spasms are generally seen in patients with spinal cord pathologies [ 3 ], brain tumor [ 7 ], multiple sclerosis [ 4 ], vasculitis and cerebral ischemia.…”

Clinical features of central isolated unilateral foot drop: A case report and review of the literature

“…Mid-parasagittal lesions can cause foot drop. [ 2 10 17 ] This is due to local mass effect on the motor cortex serving the ankle and toe movements, which is on the medial homunculus of the primary motor cortex at the mesial surface and top of the lateral surface of the precentral gyrus. Lesions in the parasagittal region that have been reported to cause foot drop include high-grade glioma, low-grade astrocytoma, metastasis, meningioma, abscess, and cerebral contusions.…”