A scapular onset muscular dystrophy without facial involvement: Possible allelism with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

A dominantly inherited muscular dystrophy with onset in the shoulder girdle and later progression to the lower limbs is described. The disorder was clinically distinguishable from known facioscapulohumeral, scapulohumeral and limb girdle syndromes. A 38 kb allele detected by probe p13E-11 (D4F104S1) segregated with the disease. Linkage analysis gave a maximum lod score of z = 1.61 at θ = 0.01 with the 4q35 marker D4S184 (affected only analysis z = 1.20 at θ = 0.01) suggesting probable allelism with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.     

Reactive neuroaxonal dystrophy in children

Summary The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency and etiological factors of neuroaxonal dystrophy (N.D.) in brainstem and spinal cord of children with various non-neurological diseases. The material used in this study consisted of 266 consecutive autopsies from 1974–1976 and an additional 13 cases from previous years. By far, the most common cause of N.D. in children was chemotherapeutic drugs, particularly vincristine, used for the treatment of malignant tumors. Approximately 90% of these children developed N.D. and the changes ranged from mild to severe. Approximately two-thirds of children with cystic fibrosis, congestive heart failure and chronic renal failure developed N.D. and the changes were mostly mild. Only one-third of patients with congenital biliary atresia and malnutrition developed N.D. and the changes were always mild. The frequency and severity of N.D. increased in patients who had prolonged clinical courses; no N.D. was seen in patients who died from acute causes such as trauma, acute infection, intoxication, acute renal failure or prematurity. This type of N.D. may be considered as reactive to a wide variety of injurious factors such as drug toxicity, malnutrition, chronic hypoxia and chronic renal failure, either alone or in combination. In contrast to previous reports of a low incidence of N.D. in children, there has been a sharp increase in recent years due to the advent of chemotherapy.     

Infantile facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy: new observations

Clinical, electrodiagnostic, and biopsy findings in a family with infantile facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy are reported. Four of eight family members having the disorder, all with onset in infancy, developed severe weakness leading to death in adolescence. The clinical course and prognosis of infantile facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy may, therefore, be as devastating as that of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The unusual infantile presentation and high mortality in our affected family members suggest that the gene coding for this disorder may be different from that responsible for conventional facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.     

Ullrich's congenital atonic sclerotic muscular dystrophy

Summary A 5-year old girl with Ullrich's atonic-sclerotic muscular dystrophy is reported and 16 previously reported cases are reviewed. The clinical features, in particular proximal contractures, distal hyperextensibility, mild dysmorphism and hyperhidrosis, allow recognition of this subtype of congenital muscular dystrophy, which has no specific pathological characteristics. There is evidence in favour of an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.     

Recombinant DNA study of Duchenne muscular dystrophy occurring in a myotonic dystrophy family

A recombinant DNA study was performed in a three-generation family with 8 typical cases of late onset myotonic dystrophy (DM) and with one case of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The study with DNA markers for chromosome 19 showed linkage of DM locus to the 3.8 Kb allele of apolipoprotein C2 (APOC2) probe and to 9 Kb allele of pSC11 probe (APOC2 lod score = 0.69 at theta = 0). The 21-year-old DMD patient showed no myotonic signs. His clinical history revealed onset with weakness around 4 years of age, progressive course with wheelchair confinement at 11, and cardiomyopathy. His karyotype was normal (46, XY). The study with 10 DNA markers for the chromosome X found a deletion limited to XJ 1.1, XJ 1.2, and XJ 2.3 probes. His 22-year-old sister with typical clinical, EMG and recombinant DNA findings characteristic for myotonic dystrophy was also a carrier of DMD deletion.     

Atypical form of X-linked proximal pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy

Summary A series of 95 families, consisting of 317 patients with severe and mild X-linked proximal pseudohypertrophic muscular dystrophy (MD), was analysed by the use of two different and rigid clinical criteria based on the age when the patient became chairbound. Using these criteria the families from Erfurt and Warsaw could be clearly separated into classical Duchenne (DMD) and classical Becker (BMD) type patients. A third group of patients was found with atypical clinical course, who could not be identified as neither Duchenne nor Becker cases. Statistically highly significant differences were found between the groups of classical DMD and atypical MD cases on the one hand and between the groups of atypical MD and classical BMD cases on the other, especially with respect to age when chairbound and age at death. The comparisons of progression of the disease, life expectancy and of fertility between the three groups of X-linked MD show that classical DMD and atypical MD may be considered as separate types of severe X-linked proximal pseudohypertrophic MD. On the basis of these findings the authors offer conclusions for the general practice of neurology, paediatrics and genetic counselling.     

Autosomal recessive distal muscular dystrophy

The distal myopathies include autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and sporadic disorders. Two of the recessive disorders are considered to be definitive entities: Miyoshi's myopathy, which has an early adult onset and first involves the calf muscles, and distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles.We here describe the cases of two sisters and compare them with previously reported cases. The disorder in our patients is characterised by: a) autosomal recessive inheritance; b) onset in early adult life; c) initial involvement of the tibialis anterior and peroneal muscles; d) subsequent involvement of the calf muscles spreading to the proximal muscles of the legs and, later, the arms; e) a moderately disabling evolution over a period of 10–12 years; f) marked and stably high serum levels of CK and other enzymes; g) EMG evidence of myopathic damage, with fibrillation at rest; and h) a histological picture of dystrophic myopathy, with atrophy of mainly type 2 fibres.We think that this syndrome is different from the two forms of autosomal recessive distal myopathy mentioned above.

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Sommario Le miopatie distali comprendono forme familiari a trasmissione autosomica dominante e autosomica recessiva e casi sporadici. Due sono le entità nosografiche autosomiche recessive identificate: la Miopatia di Miyoshi ad esordio giovanile e con compromissione iniziale dei muscoli del polpaccio, e la Miopatia distale con fibre vacuolate.Descriviamo in questa sede i casi di due sorelle e li confrontiamo con quelli della letteratura. La malattia delle nostre pazienti è caratterizzata da: a) Trasmissione autosomica recessiva; b) esordio in età giovanile; c) compromissione iniziale dei muscoli tibioperoneali; d) successiva compromissione dei muscoli dei polpacci, e poi nell'ordine dei gruppi prossimali degli arti inferiori e superiori; e) evoluzione mediamente invalidante in un tempo di 10–12 anni dall'esordio; f) stabile marcato innalzamento dei valori serici di CK e degli altri enzimi muscolari; g) reperto EMG di danno miopatico primitivo con presenza di fibrillazione a riposo; h) quadro bioptico di miopatia distrofica con atrofia prevalente delle fibre di tipo 2.A nostro parere questa sindrome è una entità nosografica diversa dalle due forme codificate di miopatia distale autosomica recessiva.

     

Skeletal muscle changes associated with equine myotonic dystrophy

Summary A progressive neuromuscular disorder in young horses, clinically apparent as early as 1 month of age, is characterized by generalized myotonia, muscle stiffness, muscle weakness and atrophy. Myotonia is identified by percussion dimpling and myotonic EMG discharges. Changes in one case included testicular hypoplasia, cataract formation, and glucose intolerance, indicating a systemic involvement. Pathologic changes in skeletal muscles from three affected foals were examined. Sarcoplasmic masses, ringed fibers, internal positioning of sarcolemmal nuclei, and nuclear rowing were among the primary histologic changes noted. Variation in fiber diameter size, especially atrophy, and type I predominance were also prominent changes. A neurogenic involvement was indicated by type grouping changes in several muscles.Supported in part of Washington State University, the Equine Orthopedic Research Fund, and NIH grant RR00515     

Mitochondrial abnormalities in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy

A family with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is described. Histological and histochemical studies of muscle biopsy showed nonspecific myopathic changes; no "ragged-red" fibers were seen. Electron microscopy demonstrated bizarre large mitochondria with abnormal cristae, but no intranuclear inclusion bodies. Our findings are compatible with the possibility that OPMD is a heterogeneous syndrome, and may be a manifestation of mitochondrial myopathy.     

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy in a child

We describe a 9 1/2 year old girl who suffered from severe recurrent pain and functional limitation in her right leg with hyperesthesia, hyperalgesia, color change and edema as the presenting symptoms, during the previous two months. All laboratory tests were found to be normal and diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy was made.

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Sommario Viene descritto il caso di una bambina di nove anni e mezzo che ha sofferto di dolori intensi e ricorrenti e di limitazione funzionale a carico del suo arto inferiore destro con iperestesia, iperalgesia, variazione di colorito dell'arto ed edema. Tutti i tests di laboratorio risultarono normali e fu posta diagnosi di distrofia simpatica.

     

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy: Non–French-Canadian pedigrees

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a late adult onset, autosomal dominant muscular dystrophy characterized by ptosis and dysphagia. The OPMD gene has been localized to chromosome 14q11.2-q13 in French-Canadian pedigrees. We report 2 non–French-Canadian families with OPMD. Affected ancestors were immigrants to the United States from Italy and Normandy. The Norman pedigree does not share the French-Canadian haplotype. OPMD appears to be a heterogeneous disorder with similar phenotypes, but probably with different gene loci. Muscle Nerve 21:816–818, 1998.     

The heart in Becker muscular dystrophy, facioscapulohumeral dystrophy, and Bethlem myopathy.

We report a study, assessing involvement of the heart in 33 familial cases of Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), 31 familiar cases of facioscapulohumeral (FSH) dystrophy, and 27 familial cases of Bethlem myopathy. In the patients with BMD, correlations of myocardial involvement with age and extent of musculoskeletal involvement were made. We performed physical examination, chest x-ray, electrocardiographic (EKG), and echocardiographic examination on all patients, and continuous EKG Holter-monitoring in the patients with FSH dystrophy. Thirteen patients with BMD (45%) showed EKG changes similar to those found in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Only 1 of the 13 individuals with cardiac involvement was wheelchair-bound. We found no evidence of cardiac changes in the patients with FSH dystrophy. In Bethlem myopathy, only 1 patient had a form of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (asymmetrical septal hypertrophy).     

伴有周围神经损害的强直性肌营养不良

目的探讨强直性肌营养不良(DM)的临床表现和病理改变。方法通过1例确诊的DM病例的临床表现和神经肌肉的病理改变来系统回顾本病的发病机理、分类、临床表现、病理改变、诊断和治疗。结果该例患者的临床表型和肌肉病理改变符合DM1型,腓肠神经主要病理改变为轴索变性,伴有轻度脱髓鞘。结论DM是一组遗传性疾病,临床表现为骨骼肌萎缩、力弱、强直和多种骨骼肌以外的症状,可伴有以轴索变性为主的周围神经损害。     

Cardiac involvement in Fukuyama muscular dystrophy is less severe than in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Background

One of the main complications in patients with muscular dystrophies is cardiac dysfunction. The literature on cardiac involvement in patients with Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) is limited.

Autosomal recessive Duchenne-like muscular dystrophy: molecular and histochemical results.

An autosomal recessive disorder which mimics Duchenne muscular dystrophy has long been suspected as a cause of muscular dystrophy in karyotypically normal girls and in both boys and girls with consanguineous parents. Analysis of dystrophin now allows confirmation of the existence of this disorder. We report the results of this analysis in a brother and sister who have the typical clinical features of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, but no demonstrable abnormality in dystrophin or its gene.     

Becker and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy associated with pituitary dwarfism

Summary In 1981 a report appeared of a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy associated with dwarfism caused by growth hormone deficiency, in whom the muscular disease was unusually benign. The authors suggested that the benign course might be related to the growth hormone deficiency and dwarfism. Other authors later supported this idea, having observed that in dystrophic mice and hamsters with congenital and experimentally induced pituitary dwarfism, respectively, pathological expressions of the dystrophy were markedly reduced. In this paper one case of Becker and one of limb-girdle dystrophy, each associated with short stature and growth hormone deficiency are described. In these cases the disease did not have a particularly benign course. It is concluded that caution is necessary, at least in certain cases, before an association between reduced muscular growth and the dystrophic process can be assumed.     

强直性肌营养不良症的临床特点

目的总结强直性肌营养不良症(DM)的临床特点。方法回顾性分析24例DM患者的临床资料。结果本组中20例(83.3%)患者在青年期起病,进展缓慢;19例(79.2%)有家族史。临床表现以面部、颈部及肢体远端肌肉为主的无力、萎缩及强直,伸肌重于屈肌;可伴全身多系统受累;血清肌酶正常或轻度升高。肌电图具有特征性的肌强直放电和肌源性损害;8例肌肉病理检查显示核内移、核链形成,以Ⅰ型肌纤维萎缩为主,7例出现肌纤维坏死,4例肌纤维结构紊乱,3例肌浆块,2例肌膜呈锯齿状。结论DM的临床特征是肌无力、萎缩及强直;肌电图和肌活检对诊断具有重要意义。     

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy with unusual features

Two families with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EMD) are described. Several unusual features for EMD are emphasized. One of the patients had severe neuromuscular disability with inability to walk during early childhood. This patient also had mild bifacial paresis. His brothers had the typical slow progression of EMD. In some of the patients, muscle weakness distribution was more widespread than has usually been reported, with prominent involvement of finger extensors. It is suggested that there is a wide phenotypic spectrum in EMD. In both families, the disease segregated with markers spanning the EMD locus in Xq28. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.