Hyaline Degeneration

Hyalisation of muscle fibrils of skeletal, intercostal, diaphragmatic and cardiac muscles. Histologically there is Zenker degeneration and occasionally also dystrophic calcification.

Grossly the condition is seen as grey/yellow streaks on the innermost part of the myocardium.

The condition is associated with Vitamin/Selenium deficiency. Also known as nutritional myopathy or White muscle disease. The myocardium of the left ventricle is most affected as it has the largest metabolic demand and so the largest production of anti-oxidants and the greatest need for Vitamin E/Selenium. This manifests clinically as left sided heart failure with clinical signs:

• Pulmonary oedema.

Also:

• Acute ataxia and collapse with the skeletal muscles affected.

Also associated with a diet over-rich in unsaturated fatty acids seen in pigs (Vitamin E/Selenium unavailable as used up by the unsaturated fats).