High parasternal intercostal muscle thickening associated with diaphragm dysfunction in myofibrillar myopathy: A case study

Abstract

Myofibrillar myopathies (MFM) are a group of heterogenic muscular disorders characterized by histological disorders with accumulation of myofibrillar degradation products and providing disorganization of the myofibril network. Respiratory muscles may be involved in this disease. Ultrasound is used to assess not only the diaphragm but also the parasternal intercostal muscle. Parasternal intercostal muscle thickening may be used as an index of respiratory effort particularly in patients with diaphragm failure. We report the case of high parasternal intercostal muscle thickening associated with diaphragm dysfunction in a patient with MFM.

Keywords

• Parasternal intercostal muscle
• Diaphragm
• Ultrasound
• Myofibrillar myopathy