Type 2 fiber predominance in muscle cramp and exertional myalgia.

In patients complaining of muscle cramps and exertional myalgia, we found a significant decrease of type 1 muscle fiber proportion in comparison with a control group. The possible mechanism of this change is discussed.

Familial myopathies with restricted distribution, facial weakness and inflammatory changes in affected muscles.

A myopathy characterized by restricted involvement of few muscles and inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in three families. In the first family, clinical features, hereditary transmission and biopsy findings were consistent with the diagnosis of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy. However in three of the four affected members, the occurrence of atrophies was specifically initiated by severe muscular pain.

Unclassified familial myopathy resembling Steinert disease, without myotonia.

A familial myopathy with predominantly proximal muscle atrophy is described. Although several clinical features such as sternomastoid and brachioradialis muscle involvement suggested Steinert disease, myotonia was not demonstrated by clinical examination or EMG. Histological data were consistent with myotonic dystrophy.