Abstract
Muscle histochemistry and ultrastructure was studied on percutaneous muscle biopsies from 3 patients with Reye's syndrome 3, 11 and 14 years old. Two or 3 sequential samples were obtained from each patient using 4.0 and 5.0 mm Bergstrom needles. No complications were observed in spite of prolonged PT and PTT.
H & E sections were normal but significant lipid accumulation was seen on oil red 0 stained sections of tissue obtained between the first and tenth days of illness. The lipid was distributed fairly evenly throughout type I muscle fibers. Lipid content decreased slowly and was normal after about 6 weeks. Oxidative enzyme and other histochemical stains (NADH, succinic dehydrogenase, ATPase, acid phosphatase, modified trichrome) were normal.
The major ultrastructural abnormality observed was loss of cristae in most mitochondria along with vacuolization and pleomorphic shapes. Lipid vacuoles were prominent in the cytoplasm. One biopsy revealed numerous electron-dense crystalline arrays of 100-120 A particles, similar in appearance to virus particles. Ultrastructural changes returned to normal after several weeks. Lipid accumulation and mitochondrial abnormalities in muscle tissue closely parallel those seen in liver tissue. Percutaneous muscle biopsy appears to be a safe and effective technique for the diagnosis of Reye's syndrome.
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Di Liberti, J., Neerhout, R. 1567 MUSCLE ULTRASTRUCTURE AND HISTOCHEMISTRY IN REYE'S SYNDROME. Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 704 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01584
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01584
