[Treatment of patients with different forms of myotonia with diphenin and novocainamide].

Patients with different forms of myotonia were treated by 2 preparations: novocainamide and Diphenine (diphenylhydantoin). Patients with Thomsen's myotonia (9 cases) and with atrophic myotonia (7 cases) were treated by novocainamide with a daily dosage of 0.75-1.5 gm during 3 weeks. A decrease of the myotonical contracture was more marked in patients with Thomsen's myotonia and was arrested following 2-3 days after its discontinuation. Treatment of patients with atrophic myotonic by novocaiamide was not feasible inasmuch as there were some contraindications for its use. In 9 cases of Thomsen's myotonia and in 5 with atrophic myotonia treatment was given by diphenine in daily dosages from 0.4-0.5 gm during 4 weeks. In 6 patients with Thomsen's myotonia and in 3 cases of atrophic myotonia there was a significant improvement. In 2 cases diphenine even in minimal doses lead to allergic reactions. No effect was marked in 3 cases. Diphenine appears to be effective in Thomsen's myotonia and in patients with atrophic myotonia with insignificant muscular atrophy. The effect after treatment lasted up to 4 weeks.