Madarosis from mitochondriopathy

Mitochondrial multiorgan disorder syndrome score generated from definite mitochondrial disorders

OBJECTIVES

Mitochondrial disorders (MIDs) frequently present as mitochondrial multiorgan disorder syndrome (MIMODS) at onset or evolve into MIMODS during the course. This study aimed to find which organs and/or tissues are most frequently affected by MIMODS, which are the most frequent abnormalities within an affected organ, whether there are typical MIMODS patterns, and to generate an MIMODS score to assess the diagnostic probability for an MID.

METHODS

This is a retrospective evaluation of clinical, biochemical, and genetic investigations of adult patients with definite MIDs. A total of 36 definite MID patients, 19 men and 17 women, aged 29-82 years were included in this study. The diagnosis was based on genetic testing (n=21), on biochemical investigations (n=17), or on both (n=2).

RESULTS

The number of organs most frequently affected was 4 ranging from 1 to 9. MIMODS was diagnosed in 97% of patients. The organs most frequently affected were the muscle (97%), central nervous system (CNS; 72%), endocrine glands (69%), heart (58%), intestines (55%), and peripheral nerves (50%). The most frequent CNS abnormalities were leukoencephalopathy, prolonged visually evoked potentials, and atrophy. The most frequent endocrine abnormalities included thyroid dysfunction, short stature, and diabetes. The most frequent cardiac abnormalities included arrhythmias, systolic dysfunction, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The most frequent MIMODS patterns were encephalomyopathy, encephalo-myo-endocrinopathy, and encepalo-myo-endocrino-cardiopathy. The mean ± 2SD MIMODS score was 35.97±27.6 (range =11-71). An MIMODS score >10 was regarded as indicative of an MID.

CONCLUSION

Adult MIDs manifest as MIMODS in the vast majority of the cases. The organs most frequently affected in MIMODS are muscles, CNS, endocrine glands, and heart. An MIMODS score >10 suggests an MID.

The Eye on Mitochondrial Disorders

Ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders are frequently neglected or overlooked because they are often not regarded as part of the phenotype. This review aims at summarizing and discussing the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders. Review of publications about ophthalmologic involvement in mitochondrial disorders by search of Medline applying appropriate search terms. The eye is frequently affected by syndromic as well as nonsyndromic mitochondrial disorders. Primary and secondary ophthalmologic manifestations can be differentiated. The most frequent ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders include ptosis, progressive external ophthalmoplegia, optic atrophy, retinopathy, and cataract. More rarely occurring are nystagmus and abnormalities of the cornea, ciliary body, intraocular pressure, the choroidea, or the brain secondarily affecting the eyes. It is important to recognize and diagnose ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders as early as possible because most are accessible to symptomatic treatment with partial or complete short-term or long-term beneficial effect. Ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders need to be appropriately diagnosed to initiate the most effective management and guarantee optimal outcome.

Abnormalities of Skin and Cutaneous Appendages in Neuromuscular Disorders

OBJECTIVES

A thorough evaluation of the skin and its appendages is frequently outside the area of expertise of the neurologist who deals with neuromuscular disorders. However, the skin is more frequently affected in neuromuscular disorders and deserves more attention than so far acknowledged.

METHODS

Review of publications by searching Medline dealing with skin disorders in neuromuscular disorders.

RESULTS

Skin abnormalities are most frequently found in patients with dermatomyositis, myotonic dystrophies, mitochondrial disorders, muscular dystrophies, and neuropathies. The hairs and the sweat glands are the appendages most frequently affected in neuromuscular disorders. In myotonic dystrophies and mitochondrial disorders there are indications that the rate of skin neoplasms is increased compared with the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

Skin lesions in neuromuscular disorders are not unusual. Neurologists should be aware of the cutaneous implications of neuromuscular disorders and should take a thorough history relative to cutaneous manifestations and complete a comprehensive investigation of the skin and its appendages. If there is evidence of a dermatological problem in a neuromuscular disorder, a dermatologist should be consulted. Dermatological involvement in neuromuscular disorders may contribute to the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders and may help to differentiate between various entities. The skin should become a focus of the neurologist as well.

Madarosis

Madarosis may be a presenting feature of a number of vision and life-threatening conditions, including herpes zoster, leprosy, HIV/AIDS, trachoma, malignant eyelid tumors, discoid lupus, scleroderma, and hypothyroidism. It may occur via two broad pathogenic pathways: scarring and non-scarring, which indicates the potential for lash re-growth. Madarosis may occur as an isolated finding or together with loss of other body and scalp hair. The etiology of madarosis can be further divided into dermatological, infection, endocrine, neoplastic, drug-related, congenital, and trauma. This report includes salient points in the clinical history and examination of patients with madarosis, with an emphasis on excluding or diagnosing visual or life threatening disorders associated with madarosis.