Myopathies: Definitions, Clinical Presentations and Classification

Abstract

Many readers of this book may not be familiar with the diagnostic vocabulary and the classification of the myopathies which we will describe. A short introduction to the rapidly expanding field of myology therefore seems indicated here. We fully realize that this is a rather hazardous undertaking. Several statements may seem over-simplified and worthy of more lengthy explanations. We therefore want to draw the attention of the more interested reader to the existence of a number of excellent recent textbooks which provide ample additional information on the subjects treated in this chapter: Bourne 1973 a—d; Adams 1975; McComas 1977; Bethlem 1977; Vinken and Bruyn 1979 a, b; Jerusalem 1979; and Walton 1981. In addition, descriptions of radiological changes in a number of specific diseases will be preceded by a short summary on the disease under consideration.