Myotonia, myokymia, hyperhidrosis, and wasting of muscle

Abstract

This paper describes patients with some or all of the symptoms of myokymia, myotonia, excessive sweating, muscle pain, and muscular wasting. The disorder was usually benign but of variable duration, and it occurred almost exclusively in young adult males who are otherwise healthy. The most frequent components were myokymia and hyperhidrosis, and most of these patients also have aching or severely painful limbs. Myotonia was less frequent, and muscle wasting occurred only in myotonic individuals. Some patients have the complete clinical picture. Laboratory studies, including electromyograms, nerve conduction velocities, muscle biopsy, and serum enzyme levels seemed either to be normal or nonspecifically altered. No clues exist as to the cause of this possible syndrome, but the similarity in symptoms, course, and incidence strongly suggests that this may be a single disease entity.