Myopathy in Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome: an electrophysiological study

Acta Neurol Scand. 1991 Aug;84(2):132-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1991.tb04921.x.

Abstract

Electrophysiological studies were performed in 7 patients with Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome in order to search for neuromuscular involvement in this multiorgan disorder. In 6 patients muscle biopsies were also obtained. Light microscopic examinations of the biopsies showed extensive myopathic changes, and in two patients ragged red fibers were found. Electron microscopy showed subsarcolemmal accumulation of abnormal mitochondria in all. Concentric needle EMG revealed unequivocal myopathic changes, more extensive in the anterior tibial than in the biceps brachii muscle. Motor and sensory conduction velocities in the peripheral nerves were normal. There were remarkably high amplitudes of sensory responses. Macro EMG studies in the biceps brachii muscle in four patients showed increased amplitude and area of the macro MUPs. This may be due to abnormal membrane function. Both electrophysiological and morphological findings confirm myopathic features of Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Electromyography* / instrumentation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Endplate / pathology
  • Motor Endplate / physiology
  • Motor Neurons / pathology
  • Motor Neurons / physiology*
  • Muscle Contraction / physiology
  • Muscle Hypotonia / diagnosis
  • Muscle Hypotonia / genetics
  • Muscle Hypotonia / physiopathology*
  • Muscles / innervation*
  • Muscles / pathology
  • Peripheral Nerves / pathology
  • Peripheral Nerves / physiopathology
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation
  • Spinocerebellar Degenerations / diagnosis
  • Spinocerebellar Degenerations / genetics
  • Spinocerebellar Degenerations / physiopathology*
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology