title: Dysphagia as the primary clinical abnormality in two dogs with inflammatory myopathy.
abstract: Two adult Boxers were evaluated because of chronic dysphagia of several years' duration. Serum creatine kinase activity was high in both dogs, but other hematologic or serum biochemical abnormalities were not detected. Esophagraphy revealed abnormalities of the cricopharyngeal phase of swallowing in both dogs, and electromyography of the pharyngeal and laryngeal muscles revealed complex repetitive discharges, positive sharp waves, and fibrillation potentials characteristic of primary myopathy or neuropathy. Because of the severity of their condition, both dogs were euthanatized. Histologically, mixed-cell infiltrates were seen in sections of the masseter and thyropharyngeal muscles. Results of indirect immunofluorescence staining for proteins associated with dystrophic myopathy were unremarkable, except for decreased staining for integrin alpha7. A diagnosis of chronic inflammatory myopathy was made. The clinical importance of reduced staining for integrin alpha7 could not be determined but was considered to be a result of the myopathy.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4566, USA.
authors.forename: L Rachael
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Ryckman
authors.forename: Dennis J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Krahwinkel
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Sims
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Donnell
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: G Diane
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Shelton
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000378:metabolism; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D004576:Electromyography / Q000662:veterinary; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008406:Masseter Muscle / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009220:Myositis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010609:Pharyngeal Muscles / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D003402:Creatine Kinase