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Insights into Imaging
Published in: Insights into Imaging 5/2011

Open Access 01-10-2011 | Review

Functional imaging in muscular diseases

Authors: Erick Amarteifio, Armin Michael Nagel, Hans-Ulrich Kauczor, Marc-André Weber

Published in: Insights into Imaging | Issue 5/2011

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Abstract

Objective

The development of morphological and functional imaging techniques has improved the diagnosis of muscular disorders.

Methods

With the use of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) the possibility of imaging the entire body has been introduced. In patients with suspected myositis, oedematous and inflammatory changed muscles can be sufficiently depicted and therefore biopsies become more precise.

Results

Functional MR methods visualise different aspects of muscular (patho)physiology: muscular sodium (Na+) homeostasis can be monitored with 23Na MRI; the muscular energy and lipid metabolism can be monitored using 31P and 1H MR spectroscopy. 23Na MRI has reached an acceptable value in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with muscular Na+ channelopathies that are characterised by myocellular Na+ overload and consecutive muscle weakness. Besides MRI, low mechanical index contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) methods have also been introduced. For evaluation of myositis, CEUS is more efficient in the diagnostic work-up than usual b-mode ultrasound, because CEUS can detect the inflammatory-induced muscular hyperperfusion in acute myositis. Moreover, the arterial perfusion reserve in peripheral arterial disease can be adequately examined using CEUS.

Conclusion

Modern muscular imaging techniques offer deeper insights in muscular (patho)physiology than just illustrating unspecific myopathic manifestations like oedematous or lipomatous changes, hypertrophy or atrophy.
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Metadata
Title
Functional imaging in muscular diseases
Authors
Erick Amarteifio
Armin Michael Nagel
Hans-Ulrich Kauczor
Marc-André Weber
Publication date
01-10-2011
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Insights into Imaging / Issue 5/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1869-4101
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13244-011-0111-6

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