Volume 60, Issue 6 pp. 687-692

Clinical Research Article

Muscle thickness measured by ultrasound is reduced in neuromuscular disorders and correlates with clinical and electrophysiological findings

Alon Abraham MD,

Corresponding Author

Alon Abraham MD

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-9020-2399

Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Correspondence

Alon Abraham, Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Email: [email protected]

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Vivian E. Drory MD,

Vivian E. Drory MD

Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

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Yaara Fainmesser MD,

Yaara Fainmesser MD

Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

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Avi A. Algom MD,

Avi A. Algom MD

Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

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Leif E. Lovblom MSc,

Leif E. Lovblom MSc

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System, and Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

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Vera Bril MD,

Vera Bril MD

Ellen and Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Department for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

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Alon Abraham MD,

Corresponding Author

Alon Abraham MD

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0002-9020-2399

Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Correspondence

Alon Abraham, Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Email: [email protected]

Search for more papers by this author

Vivian E. Drory MD,

Vivian E. Drory MD

Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

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Yaara Fainmesser MD,

Yaara Fainmesser MD

Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

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Avi A. Algom MD,

Avi A. Algom MD

Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel

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Leif E. Lovblom MSc,

Leif E. Lovblom MSc

Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System, and Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

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Vera Bril MD,

Vera Bril MD

Ellen and Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Department for Research and Medical Consultations, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

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First published: 03 September 2019

https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26693

Citations: 22

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Abstract

Introduction

Nerve imaging has a limited role in axonal and muscle fiber loss. In this study, we sought to explore the utility of standardized muscle ultrasound (US) assessment in these clinical scenarios.

Methods

We performed a prospective study from March to August 2018 of patients attending the neuromuscular clinic. All patients underwent clinical evaluation and standardized muscle thickness measurement by US in seven muscles.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 114 participants, including patients with polyneuropathy, motor neuron disease, and myopathy. The smallest distal muscle thickness was found in patients with polyneuropathy, while the smallest proximal muscle thickness was found in patients with myopathy. Muscle thickness was strongly correlated with muscle strength (r² = 0.62), electrophysiological findings (r²: 0.44-0.55), and disability score (r² = 0.53).

Discussion

Standardized muscle thickness measured by US shows diagnostic usefulness in a spectrum of neuromuscular disorders and correlates with clinical and electrophysiological findings.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

All authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this report.

Supporting Information

REFERENCES

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Citing Literature

Volume60, Issue6

December 2019

Pages 687-692

Filename	Description
mus26693-sup-0001-FigureS1.tifTIFF image, 721.3 KB	Figure 1S – US images showing thickness measurements of the following muscles: Biceps, Abductor Pollicis Brevis (APB), First Dorsal Interosseus (FDI), Quadriceps, Abductor Hallucis Brevis (AHB), and Extensor Digitorum Brevis (EDB).
mus26693-sup-0002-FigureS2.tifTIFF image, 334.8 KB	Figure 2S - US images of tibialis anterior muscle, showing measurable (A) and non measurable (B) muscle thickness due to increased hyerechogenicity.

Muscle thickness measured by ultrasound is reduced in neuromuscular disorders and correlates with clinical and electrophysiological findings

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Supporting Information

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Muscle thickness measured by ultrasound is reduced in neuromuscular disorders and correlates with clinical and electrophysiological findings

Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Supporting Information

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information