A Rare Disabling Complication of Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetic Lumbosacral Radiculoplexopathy

Abstract

Diabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexopathy (DLSRP) a rare complication of diabetes mellitus is a peripheral neuropathy presenting with hip and leg pain weakness of involved extremity and wasting of proximal muscles. As it is very rare sometimes it may be difficult to consider and diagnose this entity. Herein we report a 62-year old woman presented with lower extremity weakness and pain that had no known DM until she had admitted to emergency service with these symptoms. Upon clinical suspicion physical examination, laboratory and imaging tests; electromyographic studies revealed DLSRP. After immunomodulatory treatment and physical therapy program, the patient had marked improvement in symptoms and signs. DLSRP must be considered in patients presenting with acute hip and leg pain together with proximal weakness and must be differentiated from other pathologies.