What the internist should know about hereditary muscle channelopathies

Non-dystrophic myotonia, periodic paralysis and, to a certain extent, myotonic dystrophies are rare hereditary skeletal muscle channelopathies, charactarized by myotonia or episodic muscle weakness. This review highlights the diagnostic challenges and treatment options.

Some of these rare skeletal muscle disorders are associated with a broad range of systemic and nonspecific muscle symptoms. Consequently, patients are often referred to the internist before seeing a neurologist. This article provides clinical clues to better diagnose an tackle these unique disorders.

A increased knowledge will reduce the diagnostic delay, improve monitoring and treatment, and might even prevent potentially life-threatening conditions as seen in DM.