Electrophysiologic findings in amyloid myopathy

Muscle Nerve. 1999 Mar;22(3):355-9. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199903)22:3<355::aid-mus8>3.0.co;2-8.

Abstract

Myopathy is an uncommon manifestation of systemic amyloidosis. A retrospective chart review of 17 patients seen between 1975 and 1997 with biopsy-proven amyloid myopathy was performed to characterize the electrophysiologic features. Nerve conduction study abnormalities occurred in 14 of 17 patients (82%). The most common abnormality was a low peroneal and/or tibial compound muscle action potential amplitude (n = 9). Mild abnormalities also occurred in seven other nerves. Repetitive stimulation at 2 Hz in 10 nerves was normal. Electromyography demonstrated fibrillation potentials in 69% of muscles, most frequently in the gluteus medius (90%) and paraspinals (87%). The fibrillation potentials were sparse in 60%. Short-duration, low-amplitude motor unit potentials (MUPs) were found in 72% of the muscles examined, were mild in 81%, and were more common in proximal muscles. Long-duration MUPs were found in 19% of muscles and a mixed population of MUPs in 4%. These findings are similar to those of common chronic, inflammatory myopathies.

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amyloidosis / physiopathology*
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electrophysiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Neurons / physiology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Muscular Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Peroneal Nerve / physiopathology
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tibial Nerve / physiopathology