[The problem of diagnosis and therapy of myotonic dystrophy]

Three cases of myotonia dystrophica are presented with special problems of diagnosis and treatment. Diagnosis at an early stage can be difficult because of a wide onset of the disease and varying symptomatology. Muscle biopsies should be taken from distal muscle groups since the proximal musculature may be involved at a later stage of the disease. The diagnosis can be established with a typical electromyographic finding. Therapeutic benefits can be obtained by membrane-stabilizing substances like anticonvulsants and antiarrhythmics, the dystrophic process however cannot be halted.