title: [The problem of diagnosis and therapy of myotonic dystrophy].
abstract: Three cases of myotonia dystrophica are presented with special problems of diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis at an early stage can be difficult because of a wide onset of the disease and varying symptomatology. Muscle biopsies should be taken from distal muscle groups since the proximal musculature may be involved at a later stage of the disease. The diagnosis can be established with a typical electromyographic finding. Therapeutic benefits can be obtained by membrane-stabilizing substances like anticonvulsants and antiarrhythmics, the dystrophic process however cannot be halted.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004401:Dysarthria / Q000209:etiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008801:Mexiletine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009223:Myotonic Dystrophy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D008801:Mexiletine; D010672:Phenytoin
vernacular_title: Zur Problematik der Diagnostik und Therapie der myotonen Dystrophie.