Myopathy and cardiomyopathy associated with selenium deficiency: case report, literature review, and hypothesis

A case of selenium-deficiency myopathy, secondary to total parenteral nutrition, is presented. The literature on selenium-deficiency myopathy and cardiomyopathy is reviewed in the context of the literature concerning selenium status in numerous diseases. An hypothesis of a wider role for selenium deficiency in the pathogenesis of myopathy and cardiomyopathy is presented.