title: A pattern recognition approach to patients with a suspected myopathy.
abstract: Myopathies are a heterogeneous group of disorders that can be challenging to diagnose. This review provides a diagnostic approach based predominantly on the clinical history and neurologic examination. Laboratory testing that can be used to confirm the suspected diagnosis based on this pattern recognition approach is also discussed. Careful consideration of the distribution of muscle weakness and attention to common patterns of involvement in the context of other aspects of the neurologic examination and laboratory evaluation should assist the clinician in making a timely and accurate diagnosis and can sometimes minimize the expense of further testing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 2012, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA. Electronic address: rbarohn@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Barohn
authors.affiliation: Neuromuscular Section, Neurophysiology Division, Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Mail Stop 2012, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
authors.forename: Mazen M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Dimachkie
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, UT Medicine San Antonio, University of Texas Health Science Center, 8300 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7883, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900, USA.
authors.forename: Carlayne E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009460:Neurologic Examination
keywords: Distal myopathy; Inflammatory myopathy; Limb-girdle; Metabolic myopathy; Myopathy; Myotonia