Focal Calf Muscle Hypertrophy after Peripheral Nerve Injury

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2009;11(2):115-117.
Published online December 31, 2009.

Abstract

Muscle hypertrophy can occur unusually in various neurogenic disorders even muscle atrophy is the rule. Focal neurogenic calf muscle hypertrophy with lumbosacral radiculopathies has been frequently reported, and less often with old poliomyelitis. We report a case of neurogenic calf muscle hypertrophy after focal injury of peripheral nerve. The patient is a 10 year-old boy with progressive hypertrophy of the left calf muscle for 6 months. He had a lacerating nerve injury in the left popliteal fossa 3 years before. He underwent surgical repair, but mild weakness of the left ankle and toes was remained. Neurological examination revealed mild weakness of left ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion and sensory loss in the left sole and lateral aspect of the calf. Left ankle jerk was absent. Nerve conduction study and electromyography disclosed incomplete lesions of the left common peroneal and posterior tibial nerves at the popliteal fossa without compound sensory nerve action potential of the left sural nerve. Though neurogenic muscle hypertrophy is a rare clinical entity, physicians should consider this in the differential diagnosis of localized muscle hypertrophy.

Key Words: Hypertrophy, Muscle, Peripheral nerve, Neurogenic