The Effect of Ethyl Alcohol on Striated Muscle: Some Clinical and Pathological Observations

Abstract

Electrophysiological and pathological studies were performed on 3 patients with recurrent focal swelling of the calf muscles simulating deep venous thrombosis, and in a patient with cardiomyopathy and skeletal muscle disease. In all patients there were elevated CPK [creatine phosphokinase] levels, histological evidence of an acute myopathy, heavy alcohol intake prior to the development of symptoms and improvement in hospital with the cessation of alcohol consumption. These patients illustrate a form of alcoholic muscle disease which may be more common than generally realized.