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A Case With Selective Type 2 Fiber Hypotrophy

Alberto Dubrovsky, MD; Ana Lía Taratuto, MD; Raú Martino, MD

Arch Neurol. 1981;38(9):594-596.

Abstract
• A patient had distal muscular atrophy involving the upper and lower extremities, ptosis of the lid, and ophthalmoparesis and cataracts. Muscle histochemistry and electromyographic examination showed lower motor neuron involvement. This case is similar to others described in the literature and designated as distal spinal muscular atrophy. The unique association with ophthalmologic signs can be considered either as a variant form of the disease or as a separate entity. Muscle biopsy showed selective type 2 muscle fiber hypotrophy in the biceps. A second biopsy specimen of the quadriceps showed type grouping with persistence of small type 2 fibers, suggesting that reinnervation capability is independent of neuronal trophic influence.

Author Affiliations
From the Neuromuscular Diseases Section, Hospital Francés, Centro Neurológico (Drs Dubrovsky and Taratuto); Fundación Para a Lucha Contra las Enfermedades Nerviosas en la Infancia (Dr Taratuto); and Hospital de Pediatría Pedro de Elizalde (Dr Martino), Buenos Aires.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Oct 10, 1980.

Read in part before the Fourth International Congress of Neuromuscular Diseases, Montreal, Sept 19, 1978.

Reprint requests to Sección de Enfermedades Neuromusculares, Centro Neurológico, Hospital Francés, La Rioja 951,1221 Buenos Aires, Argentina (Dr Dubrovsky).