Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: March 4, 2014
Muscle involvement with pseudohypertrophy in systemic light chain amyloidosis: Case report
Mirela Draghici1,2, Andreea Jercan1,2, Sorina Nicoleta Badelita1
1Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.
Rationale:
Muscle pseudohypertrophy is a rare manifestation of light chain amyloidosis (AL) amyloidosis.
Patient Concerns:
A 63-year-old woman presented with a 2-year history of progressive asthenia, macroglossia, dysphonia, cachexia, hypotension, paresthesia, and lower limb muscle hypertrophy.
Diagnosis:
Free serum lambda light chains were increased, and fat pad biopsy demonstrated Congo red-positive deposits. Additionally, electromyography showed a myopathic pattern, whereas muscle biopsy revealed amyloid deposits. A diagnosis of λAL with cardiac, renal, nervous system, and skeletal muscle involvement was established.
Interventions And Outcomes:
The patient received 3 subsequent lines of therapy over the following 23 months, with very slow hematological remission followed by resolution of organ dysfunction.
Lessons:
Despite its rarity, muscle involvement should be considered in patients diagnosed with AL amyloidosis associated with unexplained muscle hypertrophy or weakness associated with macroglossia or elevated troponin T levels in the absence of clear cardiac involvement.
Related Concept Videos
Cross-bridge Cycle
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Cellular Adaptation II: Hypertrophy
Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology
Alterations in Muscle Tone lll

