Table 1. List of investigations for working up a patient of DCS for systemic involvement
SYSTEM |
INVESTIGATION |
FINDING |
Skin |
Biopsy H&E Frozen section for Sudan Black/Oil Red O Electron Microscopy |
Vacuolation of basal layer Positivity for lipid vacuoles Cytoplasmic lipid vacuoles not surrounded by a limiting membrane in KCs, fibroblasts pericytes, mast cells and epidermal LCs. |
Liver |
LFT USG Liver Biopsy Electron Microscopy MRE |
Raised liver enzymes Hepatomegaly Expansion of portal tracts by fibrous tissue,mononuclear cells, micro and macro-vesicular steatosis of hepatocytes with sudan black and oil red O positivity. Lipid droplets of homogenous appearance and low electron density. Recently developed noninvasive alternative to liver biopsy |
Muscle |
Creatine kinase (CK-MM/CK-MB) AST, ALT,LDH Electrophysiological studies-NCS and EMG Muscle biopsy Routine Frozen Electron microscopy |
Elevated levels Brief duration, small amplitude motor units, increased recruitment Fiber size variations & vacuolations in Type I fibers with lipid droplets demonstrated by oil red O staining & on EM |
CNS |
Developmental assessment EEG CT/MRI- |
Low IQ Microcephalus, diffuse cortical atrophy |
Eye |
Slit lamp examination Fundus examination |
Cataract, strabismus, nystagmus, ptosis, retinal dysfunction |
ENT |
BERA, Audiometry |
Sensorineural reafness |
Cardiac |
ECG- ECHO- |
T wave changes Aortic insufficiency,cardiomyopathy |
Others |
Lipid Profile GIT - Mucosal biopsy Renal function tests/X ray wrists* |
Hyperlipidemia Lipid deposition in lamina propria and rectal epithelium Renal failure, broadening, cupping, fraying of lower ends of radius & ulna. |
*Very rare associations14, 15