[Enzyme histochemistry in the biopsy diagnosis of skeletal muscle diseases].

Thanks to the use of enzyme histochemical methods, substantial progresses have been made in muscle biopsy diagnosis in recent years. These methods not only permit detection of early alterations in known ("old") myopathies, they also have led to the discovery of numerous "new" neuromyopathies. They also have opened up the potential for additional, specific electron microscopic and biochemical tests. Some examples of the old and new myopathies are presented.