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Updated: Aug 22, 2025
06:37
Immunolabelling Myofiber Degeneration in Muscle Biopsies
Published on: December 5, 2019
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Macroglossia in rapidly progressive inclusion body myositis
Yoshimune Yamasaki1, Akihiro Mukaino2, Satoshi Yamashita1
1Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
Summary
Inclusion body myositis, a rare muscle disease, can present with macroglossia (enlarged tongue). This case study suggests macroglossia may indicate treatment effectiveness in Inclusion body myositis patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
- Pathology
Background:
- Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a challenging muscle disease with inflammatory and degenerative aspects.
- Macroglossia is typically associated with amyloid light chain amyloidosis, not IBM.
Observation:
- A female patient with pathologically confirmed IBM developed progressive dysphagia, gait issues, and macroglossia.
- Muscle and tongue biopsies revealed characteristic IBM pathology, including specific protein inclusions and inflammatory cell infiltration.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with IBM co-occurring with Sjögren's syndrome.
- Treatment with corticosteroids and immunoglobulin therapy led to temporary symptom improvement.
- Macroglossia was observed alongside other IBM symptoms.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential, previously unreported association between IBM and macroglossia.
- Macroglossia may serve as a clinical indicator for monitoring immunotherapy response in IBM patients.
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