# Wilson’s Disease Myopathy: A Case Report and Brief Literature Review

**Authors:** Nicholas M Riccione, Cassie N Chan

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.99405 · Cureus · 2025-12-16

## TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of Wilson’s disease presenting as myopathy and emphasizes the importance of considering this condition in unexplained muscle disorders.

## Contribution

The paper adds a new case report and literature review on peripheral myopathy as a rare manifestation of Wilson’s disease.

## Key findings

- Wilson’s disease can present with myopathy as a primary symptom.
- Peripheral neuromuscular involvement in Wilson’s disease is rare and often under-recognized.
- Early diagnosis of Wilson’s disease is crucial to prevent multiorgan damage.

## Abstract

Wilson’s disease is a rare genetic disorder of copper toxicity with known systemic, multiorgan effects. The spectrum of symptoms is wide, ranging from relatively common and well-described central neurologic involvement to sparse case reports describing peripheral neuromuscular involvement, particularly as a primary presenting symptom. We describe a case involving a convoluted diagnostic course that ultimately led to a diagnosis of myopathy attributed to newly diagnosed Wilson’s disease in a 37-year-old male. We also provide a literature review of similar cases and proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms, consolidating current knowledge on the spectrum of musculoskeletal symptoms associated with Wilson’s disease. This case illustrates the importance of considering Wilson’s disease in cases of peripheral idiopathic myopathies, especially when comorbidities may be consolidated to suggest a single overarching causative diagnosis.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Wilson’s disease (MONDO:0010200), myopathy (MONDO:0005336)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Wilson's Disease Myopathy (MESH:D006527), musculoskeletal symptoms (MESH:D009140), genetic disorder (MESH:D030342), myopathy (MESH:D009135), idiopathic myopathies (MESH:C000598744), peripheral neuromuscular involvement (MESH:D009468), copper toxicity (MESH:C535468), neurologic involvement (MESH:C538190)

## Full text

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## References

10 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12807768/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12807768