Myofibrillar Myopathy

The Korean Journal of Pathology 2010; 44: 426-30 DOI: 10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2010.44.4.426

Myofibrillar Myopathy

- A Case Report -

∙ Jee Young Kim∙ Eun Hae Jeong ∙ Kee Duk Park∙ Heasoo Koo1

Departments of Neurology and 1 Pathology, Ewha Medical Research Institute, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Received : May 25, 2009 Accepted : August 18, 2009

Corresponding Author

Heasoo Koo, M.D. Department of Pathology, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, 911-1 Mok 5-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul 158-710, Korea Tel: 82-2-2650-5732 Fax: 82-2-2650-2879 E-mail: heasoo@ewha.ac.kr

Myofibrillar myopathies (MFMs) are a genetically or clinically heterogeneous group of diseases that are characterized by focal myofibrillar dissolution associated with accumulation of myofibrillar degradation products and ectopic expression of multiple proteins. Since MFMs show morphologically distinct features but consist of genetically and clinically heterogeneous diseases, muscle biopsy is important for the diagnosis. A 20-year-old man complained of progressive weakness and atrophy of both legs for two years. He had a dysmorphic face and short stature. The light microscopic examination of his muscle biopsy showed mixed myopathic and neurogenic changes. Many myofibers with multiple clusters of blue red rod-like structures and cytoplasmic inclusions were noted. Immunohistochemistry showed a focal positive reaction in sarcoplasm to desmin and myotilin antibodies. An electron microscope study revealed variable abnormalities of myofibrillar structures. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of MFM with pathology findings in Korea.

Key Words : Myofibrillar myopathies; Desmin; Pathology

Myofibrillar myopathies (MFMs) are a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of chronic neuromuscular disorders that are characterized by focal myofibrillar dissolution associated with accumulation of myofibrillar degradation products and ectopic...