Miopatía distal de tipo Miyoshi / Miyoshi Type´s distal myopathy

Introducción: La distrofia muscular a tipo Miyoshi es una enfermedad genética, neuromuscular que afecta a las cinturas escapular y pélvica, causando alto grado de discapacidad, su diagnóstico se realiza a través de exámenes enzimáticos y biopsia muscular. Caso clínico: Paciente de 48 años de edad con una evolución de su diagnóstico de hace 16 años, con gran limitación funcional para la marcha desde hace un año y medio, debilidad muscular y atrofia de la musculatura posterior de ambos miembros inferiores. Se le realizó tratamiento rehabilitador integral con objetivos específicos. Conclusiones: Luego de 30 sesiones de tratamiento, se cumplieron los objetivos trazados con evolución satisfactoria, siendo el tratamiento rehabilitador integral un pilar importante en la mejoría clínica del paciente(AU)

Introduction: Muscular dystrophy of Miyoshi type is a genetic and neuromuscular disease that affects the pelvic and shoulder girdle and causes high degree of disability. Its diagnosis is through enzyme testing and muscle biopsy. Clinical case: 48- years- male patient with evolution of his diagnosis made 16 years ago. The patient had great functional limitation for walking from a year and a half before, muscle weakness and atrophy of the posterior muscles of both lower limbs. It was applied comprehensive rehabilitation treatment with specific objectives. Conclusions: After 30 treatment sessions, the objectives were achieved with a satisfactory evolution. The comprehensive rehabilitative treatment proved to be an important pillar in the patient´s clinical improvement(AU)

Papel de las poliaminas en la transducción de señales intracelulares: posibles proyec­ciones de uso clínico en el manejo de las distrofias musculares por medio de su inhibi­ción con difluorometilornitina / Polyamines role in intracellular signals transduction: possible projections for clinical use in muscular dy strophies ' management through its inhibition with difluoromethylornithine

Las distrofias musculares de origen genético son muy diversas y, tanto su diagnóstico preciso como su manejo, suponen un reto importante. En cuanto a este último aspecto, no obstante el desarrollo en proceso de nuevas estrategias a nivel molecular para su tratamiento, las herramientas con que se cuenta para este propósito son limitadas, y pocas veces pueden influir de manera efectiva para evitar el deterioro progresivo que muchos de estos pacientes experimentan. Además, las terapias de última generación no abarcan la gran diversidad de estas patologías y no se espera que estén disponibles a corto plazo para la mayoría de los pacientes. El propósito del artículo es mostrar el papel de las poliaminas, actores ubicuos en el metabolismo in­ tracelular tal vez poco conocidos; cómo están involucrados en los procesos fisiológicos y patológicos, y cómo también pudiesen estar involucrados en la fisiopatología de las distrofias musculares. Su inhi­bición controlada, mediante Difluorometilornitina (DFMO), pudiese constituir un mecanismo para en­ lentecer o eliminar el deterioro muscular de estos pacientes, al utilizarse como una herramienta dentro del arsenal de las ya existentes

Muscular dystrophies of genetic origin are very diverse and, both their precise diagnosis and their management represent an important challenge. Regarding this last aspect, despite the development in process of new strategies at the molecular level for its treatment, the tools available for this pur­ pose are limited, and can rarely influence effectively to avoid the progressive deterioration that many of these patients experience. In addition, the lates t­generation therapies do not cover the great diversity of these pathologies and are not expected to be available in the short term for most patients. The purpose of the article is to show the role of polyamines, ubiquitous actors in intracellular meta­ bolism, perhaps little known; how they are involved in physiological and pathological processes, and how they could also be involved in the physiopathology of muscular dystrophies. Its controlled inhi­ bition, by difluoromethylilitin (DFMO), could be a mechanism to slow or eliminate the muscle deterio­ ration of these patients, by being used as a tool within the arsenal of those already existing.

Miopatías relacionadas a colágeno VI: cuando sospecharlas, cómo identificarlas: aporte de la resonancia magnética muscular / Collagen VI related myopathies: when to suspect, how to identify: the contribution of muscle magnetic resonance

Resumen: Las miopatías secundarias a mutaciones en el colágeno VI (M-COLVI) son las más frecuentes en el hemisferio norte, afectando población adulta y pediátrica. No existen datos de su prevalencia en Latinoamérica. Se caracterizan por presentar una gran variabilidad clínica, desde fenotipos severos, como la distrofia muscular congénita de Ullrich (DMCU), a intermedios y leves como la Miopatía de Bethlem (MB). Su inicio también es variable y se extiende desde el período de recién nacido hasta la vida adulta. Dada la presencia de hiperlaxitud articular, el diagnóstico diferencial se debe realizar con diversas enfermedades del tejido conectivo. El algoritmo diagnóstico clásico en muchos pacientes ha sido insuficiente para orientar el estudio genético de forma adecuada, y a partir de esto la resonancia magnética muscular ha emergido como una herramienta de gran utilidad para una mejor aproxima ción diagnóstica de ésta y otras patologías musculares. Esta revisión tiene como objetivo examinar las formas de presentación, características clínicas, estudio diagnóstico específico, diagnóstico dife rencial y manejo de una de las patologías musculares herediatarias más frecuentes, con énfasis en el aporte de la resonancia magnética muscular.

Abstract: Myopathies secondary to collagen VI mutations (COLVI-M) are the most frequent in the northern hemisphere, affecting the adult and pediatric population. There are no data on its prevalence in Latin America. They are characterized by a great clinical variability, from severe phenotypes, such as Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy (UCMD), to intermediate and mild ones such as Bethlem myopathy (BM). Its onset is also variable and extends from the neonatal period to adulthood. Given the presence of joint hypermobility, the differential diagnosis should be made with various connective tissue diseases. The classical diagnostic algorithm in many patients has been insufficient to guide the genetic study in an adequate way, and from this the muscular magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as a very useful tool for a better diagnostic approach of this and other muscular pathologies. This ob jective of this review is to study the forms of presentation, clinical characteristics, specific diagnostic study, differential diagnosis and management of one of the most frequent hereditary muscular patho logies, with emphasis on the contribution of muscle magnetic resonance imaging.

Síndrome de Walker-Warburg / Walker-Warburg syndrome

A síndrome de Walker-Warburg (SWW) é uma doença autossômica recessiva rara, caracterizada por distrofia muscular congênita e associada a malformações cerebrais e oculares. Pode ser suspeitada ainda no pré-natal e o diagnóstico é firmado ao nascimento através de alterações clínicas e patológicas. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar o caso de uma paciente com 3 meses de vida portadora de SWW. A SWW é uma síndrome severa e letal, diagnosticada através de quatro critérios: distrofia muscular congênita, anormalidades oculares, lissencefalia tipo II e malformação cerebelar. Seu tratamento visa apenas ao suporte e à prevenção de complicações. Pacientes com esta doença geralmente vão a óbito ainda no primeiro ano de vida

The Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy and associated with cerebral and ocular malformations. It may be suspected even in the prenatal period and the diagnosis is made at birth through clinical and pathological characteristics. The aim of this study is to report the case of a 3-month-old with WWS. The WWS is a severe and lethal syndrome that is diagnosed by four criteria: congenital muscular dystrophy, ocular abnormalities, type II lissencephaly, and cerebellar malformation. Its treatment is only supportive and intended to prevent complications. Patients with this disease usually will die within the first year of life

Diagnóstico molecular in útero de distrofia muscular de Duchenne / In utero molecular diagnostic of Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy

Identificar el estado de portadora de mujeres gestantes con historia familiar de distrofia muscular tipo Duchenne mediante análisis molecular indirecto y diagnosticar si sus fetos varones estaban afectados o no con esta enfermedad. Se analizaron 9 muestras de DNA correspondientes a 3 gestantes, 2 fetos, 2 cónyuges, 1 varón afectado y 1 varón sano. A través de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa, se amplificaron secuencias de los polimorfismos de repeticiones cortas en tandem (STRs)de los intrones 44, 45, 49, 50, y 3 ´DYS del gen de la distrofina; Unidad de Genética Médica de la Universidad del Zulia (UGM-LUZ). Se pudieron elaborar los haplotipos respectivos en las personas clave de la familia afectada, que permitieron identificar en las 3 gestantes al cromosoma X portador de la mutación responsable de esta enfermedad, logrando diagnosticar 1 feto varón afectado con distrofia muscular tipo Duchenne y 1 feto femenino no portadora. Las nuevas técnicas diagnósticas a nivel molecular en gestantes con enfermedades hereditarias permiten el diagnóstico in útero de enfermedades.

Merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy in an Omani boy

Merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy is an autosomal recessive disease that can manifest differently in different ethnic groups. This often presents as a floppy infant, and normal mental development. The creatine kinase is usually elevated with white matter abnormalities on brain imaging. In this report, we describe an infant with Merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy who presented with delayed motor milestones and hypotonia. The clinical features, biopsy findings, and neuroimaging abnormalities in our patient are described

Muscle disorders in pediatric patients in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

The authors retrospectively studied histopathologic findings and diagnoses of muscle specimens taken from 188 pediatric patients presenting with clinical neuromuscular disorders in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital between August 1991 and December 2003. Eighty patients (67.8%) established the definite diagnosis by histopathological findings of muscle specimens. About 18.6, 17.7, 7.6, 5.9, 5.0, 3.4, 2.5 and 1.7 percent of the total number of patients were diagnosed as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, congenital myopathies, mitochondrial disease, inflammatory myopathies, Becker muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophy and vacuolar myopathies respectively. Since the histopathological findings in muscle helped to establish the definite diagnosis in most pediatric patients in the present study, thus muscle biopsy is essential for establishing a definite diagnosis in any patient with a suspected neuromuscular disorder.

Proposicão de um critério antropométrico para suspeita diagnóstica de dismorfia muscular / Proposition of an anthropometric criterion for diagnosis suspicion of muscle dysmorphia

INTRODUÇAO: A dismorfia muscular (DISMUS) é uma síndrome psiquiátrica que acomete indivíduos de ambos os sexos com maior prevalência entre os homens, na qual o indivíduo percebe seu corpo como pequeno e franzino, quando na verdade é forte e musculoso. Inexistem na literatura abordagens antropométricas sobre DISMUS. OBJETIVO: Obter dados em uma populacão de referência para sugerir um critério antropométrico para diagnóstico da DISMUS. MÉTODOS: A amostra foi composta de 1.825 indivíduos que participaram de uma avaliacão médico-funcional (1.108 homens e 717 mulheres) entre os anos de 1994 e 2003, com idade superior ou igual a 15 anos, não atletas e que não apresentavam deficiência física locomotora significativa nem diagnóstico clínico de DISMUS. Foram calculados individualmente dois índices de proporcionalidade adimensionais, B/P1 e B/P2, com e sem correcão pela medida de espessura de dobra cutânea, respectivamente. Estabeleceu-se como critério antropométrico para DISMUS a presenca de uma razão superior a um entre os perímetros de braco contraído e flexionado e de perna associado à inexistência de três outros pontos de corte das variáveis ectomorfia, ÕDC (somatório das medidas de espessura das dobras cutâneas tricipital e perna medial) e perímetro abdominal, esses últimos visando excluir indivíduos com valores de B/P1 e B/P2 elevados primariamente devido ao excesso de gordura corporal. RESULTADOS: Razão B/P1 > 1 foi observada em 16 indivíduos, oito em cada gênero. Analisando os outros pontos de corte, todas as mulheres puderam ser identificadas como obesas e, portanto, não portadoras de DISMUS, enquanto nos homens, sete dos oito indivíduos puderam ser enquadrados como casos sugestivos de DISMUS. CONCLUSÕES: Com base na amostra ampla e heterogênea utilizada no presente estudo, é possível sugerir um critério antropométrico como sinal de DISMUS. Outros estudos estão sendo conduzidos para validar o critério antropométrico de DISMUS proposto no presente estudo e det...

Diagnostic yield of clinical, electromyographic and pathologic studies in muscle disorders

Muscle diseases are classified into two major groups, i.e.; myopathic which also includes muscle dystrophies and neurogenic. Investigations of muscle disease include clinical biochemistry, electromyography, muscle and cytogenetics. The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of clinical biochemistry, eletromyographic and pathologic in different muscle disorders-further more to detect the prevalence of different muscle disorders in our locality in a specific period. Sixty patients with generlized hypotonia and hyporeflexia [40 males and 20 with ages ranged from 2 months to 13 years were studied consequatively in addition to 15 healthy controls of matched age and sex for comparison in certain aspects. All cases were subjected to: a] thorough clinical and neurological evaluation, b] assessment of serum creatine kinase, c] electromyography and d] muscle biopsy from the most affected for histologic and histochemical studies. Frequency of muscle disorders was pathologically as: 41.7% in muscle dystrophies, 25% in congenital myopathies 8.3% in inflammatory myopathies and 25% in spinal muscle atrophy. Clinically; muscle dystrophies were found in 41.7%, however with difference in subtypes. Congenital myopathies were suggested in 30% of cases inflammatory myopathies in 8.3% and spinal muscle atrophy in 20% Electromyographic studies were compatible with the pathologic results in all cases of myopathies and spinal muscle atrophy. All cases of muscle dystrophies were evaluated as myopathic disorders. Serum creatine kinase was highly significantly elevated in the group of muscle dystrophies, significantly elevated in inflammatory myopathies and mildly elevated in spinal muscle atrophy as compared with controls. Clinical biochemistry and pathologic compatibility was found in 92% of dystrophinopathies group, 88% of myopathyies and 80% of neurogenic muscle atrophy .Apart from the group of muscle dystrophy, the EMG yield was compatible with the pathologic diagnosis of all cases of myopathies, and neurogenic muscle atrophy. Thus all measures considered concordant in diagnosis of muscle diseases

Clinical and Pathological Characteristics of Four Korean Patients with Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy type 2B

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B), a subtype of autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (ARLGMD), is characterized by a relatively late onset and slow progressive course. LGMD2B is known to be caused by the loss of the dysferlin protein at sarcolemma in muscle fibers. In this study, the clinical and pathological characteristics of Korean LGMD2B patients were investigated. Seventeen patients with ARLGMD underwent muscle biopsy and the histochemical examination was performed. For the immunocytochemistry, a set of antibodies against dystrophin, alpha, beta, gamma, delta-sarcoglycans, dysferlin, caveolin-3, and beta-dystroglycan was used. Four patients (24%) showed selective loss of immunoreactivity against dysferlin at the sarcolemma on the muscle specimens. Therefore, they were classified into the LGMD2B category. The age at the onset of disease ranged from 9 yr to 33 yr, and none of the patients was wheelchair bound at the neurological examination. The serum creatine kinase (CK) was high in all the patients (4010-5310 IU/L). The pathologic examination showed mild to moderate dystrophic features. These are the first Korean LGMD2B cases with a dysferlin deficiency confirmed by immunocytochemistry. The clinical, pathological, and immunocytochemical findings of the patients with LGMD2B in this study were in accordance with those of other previous reports.

Gamma-sarcoglycanopathy.

The best known muscular dystrophies are X-linked dystrophinopathies. A clinically and genetically heterogeneous group presenting with weakness of the pelvic and shoulder girdles is that of the limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMDs). Sarcoglycanopathies (SGPs) are autosomal recessive LGMDs. We report a rare case of primary gamma-sarcoglycanopathy (SGP) which emphasizes the evolving concept of dystrophinopathy to sarco-glycanopathy.

Estudo do genoma humano contribuindo para a compreensao, o diagnostico e a prevencao de doencas geneticas: o exemplo das doencas neuromusculares / The study of human genome collaborating for comprehension, diagnosis and prevention of genetic diseases: the example of neuromuscular diseases

O anuncio da finalizacao do Genoma Humano passara a trazer muitas respostas relacionadas ao aspecto molecular de diversas patologias mas tambem trara muitas perguntas como...

Muscular dystrophies.

The muscular dystrophies (MD) are a heterogenous group of genetically determined, variably inherited primary disorders of muscle that progress differently. The various forms can be distinguished by the combination of clinical, genetic and pathologic criteria, confirmation of the muscle biopsy should be with immunohistochemical staining rather than histological only. These and the gene deletion studies in the families have become essential diagnostic criteria.

Mialgias post ejercicios como forma de presentación de una distrofinopatía / Post exercise myalgias as form of dystrophynopathy

Cramps and myalgias are frequent presentations of many disorders whose diagnosis is generally difficult. Among the unusual causes stand the milder phenotypes of dystrophinopathies, which are caused, just as Duchenne and BeckerÕs dystrophy, by mutations in the dystrophin gene. An 8 year-old boy presented severe muscle pain on exercise and serum rise in creatine kinase over 1000 U/l. He had normal muscle power and mild calf hypertrophy. The molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the dystrophin gene showed deletions of exons 45 to 51. Dystrophin analysis by Western blot revealed a dystrophin of reduced quantity and molecular weight. Emphasis is made to include dystrophinopathies in the differential diagnosis of myalgias and the usefulness of molecular genetic techniques in the identification of these disorders

Prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common X-linked genetic disorders seen in children. Mutations in the DMD gene coding for the protein dystrophin causes the severe muscle-wasting disorder leading to death in the second decade of life. In the absence of a cure, prenatal diagnosis (PND) appears to be the best approach to reduce the burden of this disease on the individual family and ultimately on society. There are few published reports worldwide on PND and very few from the developing countries. We report our experience with PND for families with DMD using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microsatellite polymorphic marker analysis. METHODS: From August 1997 to October 1999, PND was offered on request to 23 families with one or two boys affected with DMD. A total of 26 foetuses were screened for DMD. Initially the deletions in the DMD gene in the affected child were identified by multiplex PCR screening for 23 exons in 6 sets. In patients where deletions were not identified, microsatellite repeat analysis was carried out to follow the inheritance of the mutant allele. DNA was extracted from chorionic villus samples obtained by chorionic villus biopsy performed at 10-15 weeks of gestation in 17 families, and at 16-20 weeks in 6 families. RESULTS: Deletions were identified in 20 affected boys. In 2 families, microsatellite repeat analysis was done to identify the mutant allele. Of the 26 foetuses, 5 were found to be affected with DMD and the parents opted for termination of pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplex PCR technology and microsatellite repeat analysis can be used effectively for PND of DMD.

Walker-warburg syndrome: reports of two cases

The purpose of this study is to describe two infants that were diagnosed with Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS), a rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD). They were studied in their clinical, laboratory, and neuroradiologic features. The index case had a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the second patient had a head computerized tomography (CT). In addition, a literature review was performed to describe the main forms of CMD. The index case fulfilled all criteria for WWS. A brain MRI performed at age 4 months served to corroborate the clinical diagnosis, showing severe hydrocephalus, type II lissencephaly, cerebellar vermian aplasia, and a hypoplastic brain stem. The authors were able to establish a retrospective diagnosis of WWS in the index cases's older sister, based upon her clinical picture and head CT report.

Tardanza en el diagnóstico de la distrofia muscular de Duchenne en Chile / Delayed diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in Chile

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most frequent neuromuscular disease in children. Aim: To determine the causes of delayed diagnosis of the disease. Patients and methods: The clinical records of 61 children diagnosed as Duchenne progressive muscular dystrophy were analyzed. Results: the first symptoms of the disease were noticed at a mean age of 1.5 years. Parents consulted at the mean age of 3 years, but the accurate diagnosis was made at a mean age of 5.7 years. In only 15 percent of children, the disease was diagnosed in the first four years of age. Less than 20 percent of children were referred for an adequate study and the rest were managed mainly as flat feet. Conclusions: Duchenne dystrophy is the most common neuromuscular disorder in children, with an incidence of 1 in 3679 male newborns. The lack of recognition of non specific symptoms such as retardation in independent walking and frequent falls as forms of presentation, is probably the most important cause of diagnostic delay. Strong recommendation is made to measure creatinphosphokinase and to study every male child that is not walking independently by the age of 18 months

Distrofia muscular de Duchenne: efecto de la administración de vitamina E sobre la luminiscencia urinaria / Effects of vitamin E supplementation on urinary luminescence in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Background: Urinary luminescence is increased in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, probably due to the higher oxidative stress present in this disease. Aim: To assess the effects of vitamin E supplementation on urinary luminescence in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Patients and methods: Eighteen children with muscular dystrophy aged 12.2 years old and nine control children aged 10 years old, received 400 IU/day of vitamin E during one month. Prior to supplementation and twice a week thereafter, spot urine samples were obtained to measure urinary luminescence in a scintillation counter. Results: There was a wide variability in urinary luminescence within and between children. Mean values decreased after vitamin E supplementation in six of nine controls and in 12 of 18 children with muscular dystrophy. Conclusions: Vitamin E supplementation significantly decreases urinary luminescence in healthy children and in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Therefore, it could be useful or the treatment of this disease