What is FSHD?
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Q. Does the report suggest FSHD?

Answered by
Dr. J. Mariano Anto Bruno Mascarenhas
and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
This is a premium question & answer published on Aug 31, 2016 and last reviewed on: Jul 31, 2023

Hi doctor,

I have attached the genetic report, and it was done to check facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). Kindly advise.

#

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your query and the report (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The report says that this patient has the gene for FSHD (facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy). Since the patient also has a weakness of the shoulders, the diagnosis is confirmed.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for your reply. Can you tell us the complexity of the problem? Is there anything to worry about in the future? Could you tell us the severity of the disease?

#

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com. Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) typically has an onset in childhood or young adulthood. In most cases, facial weakness is the initial manifestation, appearing as an inability to smile, whistle or fully close the eyes. Usually, the patient seeks medical attention when they notice weakness of the shoulder girdles rather than the facial muscles. Loss of scapular stabilizer muscles makes arm elevation difficult. Biceps and triceps muscles may be severely affected, with relative sparing of the deltoid muscles. Weakness is invariably worse for wrist movement, and weakness of the muscles of the legs may lead to foot drop. The good news is that in most patients, the weakness remains restricted to facial, upper extremity, and distal lower extremity muscles. Characteristically, patients with FSHD do not have involvement of other organ systems, although labile hypertension is common. The bad news is that in 20% of patients, weakness involves the pelvic girdle muscles, resulting in severe functional impairment and possible wheelchair dependency. There is an increased incidence of nerve deafness. Coats’ disease, a disorder consisting of telangiectasia (dilated blood vessels visible on the skin), exudation, and retinal detachment, also occurs. No specific treatment is available. Ankle-foot orthoses are helpful for foot drop. Scapular stabilization procedures improve scapular winging but may not improve the function.


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