Pattern of muscle involvement in inclusion body myositis: a sonographic study

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2018 Nov-Dec;36(6):996-1002. Epub 2018 May 8.

Abstract

Objectives: Imaging plays a role in myositis assessment by detecting muscle changes indicative of pathology. This study was conducted to determine the ultrasonographic pattern of muscle involvement in patients with inclusion body myositis (IBM) through an assessment of muscle echointensity.

Methods: Sixty-two individuals were consecutively studied, 18 with IBM, 16 with polymyositis or dermatomyositis and 28 normal controls. Standardised scans were completed bilaterally for the deltoids, biceps, flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), flexor carpi ulnaris, rectus femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius assessing for muscle echointensity changes.

Results: Patients with IBM had a markedly increased muscle echointensity when compared with comparator groups for all muscles studied. This was most discriminating at the FDP, gastrocnemius and rectus femoris. Asymmetry between sides and a heterogeneously increased echointensity were also seen.

Conclusions: Ultrasonography can aid in the assessment of IBM by displaying an increased echointensity in characteristically involved muscles, particularly when combined with assessments for asymmetry and echotexture.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / diagnostic imaging*
  • Myositis, Inclusion Body / diagnostic imaging*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Ultrasonography / methods*