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Ahmadi B, Duarte FCK, Srbely J, Bartlewski PM. Ultrasound-based assessment of the expression of inflammatory markers in the rectus femoris muscle of rats. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2024; 249:10064. [PMID: 38463389 PMCID: PMC10911122 DOI: 10.3389/ebm.2024.10064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ultrasonographic characteristics of skeletal muscles are related to their health status and functional capacity, but they still provide limited information on muscle composition during the inflammatory process. It has been demonstrated that an alteration in muscle composition or structure can have disparate effects on different ranges of ultrasonogram pixel intensities. Therefore, monitoring specific clusters or bands of pixel intensity values could help detect echotextural changes in skeletal muscles associated with neurogenic inflammation. Here we compare two methods of ultrasonographic image analysis, namely, the echointensity (EI) segmentation approach (EI banding method) and detection of selective pixel intensity ranges correlated with the expression of inflammatory regulators using an in-house developed computer algorithm (r-Algo). This study utilized an experimental model of neurogenic inflammation in segmentally linked myotomes (i.e., rectus femoris (RF) muscle) of rats subjected to lumbar facet injury. Our results show that there were no significant differences in RF echotextural variables for different EI bands (with 50- or 25-pixel intervals) between surgery and sham-operated rats, and no significant correlations among individual EI band pixel characteristics and protein expression of inflammatory regulators studied. However, mean numerical pixel values for the pixel intensity ranges identified with the proprietary r-Algo computer program correlated with protein expression of ERK1/2 and substance P (both 86-101-pixel ranges) and CaMKII (86-103-pixel range) in RF, and were greater (p < 0.05) in surgery rats compared with their sham-operated counterparts. Our findings indicate that computer-aided identification of specific pixel intensity ranges was critical for ultrasonographic detection of changes in the expression of inflammatory mediators in neurosegmentally-linked skeletal muscles of rats after facet injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Ahmadi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Felipe C. K. Duarte
- School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - John Srbely
- Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Pawel M. Bartlewski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Rosahl SC, Rauschendorfer P, Arndt L, Voigtmann T, Mittag U, Rittweger J. Ex-vivo validation of spatial gain sonography for the quantification of echo intensity in fascicle-aligned ultrasound images in ten anatomical muscles in Bos taurus. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3808. [PMID: 38360989 PMCID: PMC10869723 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53852-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to validate the concept of spatial gain sonography for quantifying texture-related echo intensity in B-mode ultrasound of skeletal muscle. Fifty-one bovine muscles were scanned postmortem using B-mode ultrasonography at varying fascicle probe angles (FPA). The relationship between mean gray values (MGV) and FPA was fitted with a sinusoidal and a linear function, the slope of which was defined as tilt echo gain (TEG). Macroscopic muscle cross sections were optically analyzed for intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) content which was plotted against MGV at 0° FPA (MGV_00). MGV peaked at FPA 0°. Sine fits were superior to linear fits (adjusted r2-values 0.647 vs. 0.613), especially for larger FPAs. In mixed models, the pennation angle was related to TEG (P < 0.001) and MGV_00 (P = 0.035). Age was relevant for MGV_00 (P < 0.001), but not TEG (P > 0.10). The correlation between the IMCT percentage and MGV_00 was significant but weak (P = 0.026; adjusted r2 = 0.103). The relationship between fascicle probe angle and echo intensity in B-mode ultrasound can be modeled more accurately with a sinusoidal but more practically for clinical use with a linear fit. The peak mean gray value MGV_00 can be used to compare echo intensity across muscles without the bias of pennation angle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie C Rosahl
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany.
| | | | - Lukas Arndt
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Voigtmann
- Institute of Material Physics in Space, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Theoretical Physics, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Uwe Mittag
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jörn Rittweger
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Wijntjes J, Gerritsen J, Doorduin J, van Alfen N. Comparison of muscle ultrasound and needle electromyography findings in neuromuscular disorders. Muscle Nerve 2024; 69:148-156. [PMID: 37877239 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Needle electromyography (EMG) and muscle ultrasound can be used to evaluate patients with suspected neuromuscular disorders. The relation between muscle ultrasound pathology and the corresponding needle EMG findings is unknown. In this study we compared the results of concurrent ultrasound and needle EMG examinations in patients suspected of a neuromuscular disorder. METHODS Retrospective data from 218 patients with pairwise ultrasound and EMG results of 796 muscles were analyzed. We compared overall quantitative and visual muscle ultrasound results to EMGs with neurogenic and myopathic abnormalities and assessed the congruency of both methods in the different clinical diagnosis categories. RESULTS In muscles of patients with a neuromuscular disorder, abnormalities were found with EMG in 71.8%, and quantitative and visual muscle ultrasound results were abnormal in 19.3% and 35.4% respectively. In muscles with neurogenic EMG abnormalities, quantitative and visual muscle ultrasound results were abnormal in 18.9% versus 35.6%, increasing up to 43.7% versus 87.5% in muscles with the most pronounced signs of denervation. Congruency of EMG and ultrasound was better for more proximal and cranial muscles than for muscles in the hand and lower limb. DISCUSSION Needle EMG and muscle ultrasound typically produce disparate results and identify different aspects of muscle pathology. Muscle ultrasound seems less suited for detecting mild neurogenic abnormalities. As the severity of neurogenic needle EMG abnormalities increased, muscle ultrasound abnormalities were also increasingly found. Visual analysis seems better suited than grayscale quantification for detecting neurogenic abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juerd Wijntjes
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Clinical Neuromuscular Imaging Group, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jimmy Gerritsen
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Clinical Neuromuscular Imaging Group, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jonne Doorduin
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Clinical Neuromuscular Imaging Group, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Clinical Neuromuscular Imaging Group, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Tan SY, Tan CY, Yahya MA, Low SC, Shahrizaila N, Goh KJ. Quantitative muscle ultrasound as a disease biomarker in hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy. Neurol Sci 2024:10.1007/s10072-024-07340-y. [PMID: 38270729 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07340-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is an increasing need for a reproducible and sensitive outcome measure in patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) with polyneuropathy (PN) due to the emergence of disease modifying therapies. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the role of quantitative muscle ultrasound (QMUS) as a disease biomarker in ATTRv-PN. METHODS Twenty genetically confirmed ATTRv amyloidosis patients (nine symptomatic, 11 pre-symptomatic) were enrolled prospectively between January to March 2023. Muscle ultrasound was performed on six muscles at standardized locations. QMUS parameters included muscle thickness (MT) and muscle echo intensity (EI). Twenty-five age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited for comparison. Significant QMUS parameters were correlated with clinical outcome measures. RESULTS Muscle volume of first dorsal interosseus (FDI) muscle [measured as cross-sectional area (CSA)] was significantly lower in symptomatic patients compared to healthy controls and pre-symptomatic carriers (98.3 ± 58.0 vs. 184.4 ± 42.5 vs. 198.3 ± 56.8, p < 0.001). EI of biceps and FDI for symptomatic ATTRv-PN patients were significantly higher compared to the other two groups (biceps: 76.4 ± 10.8 vs. 63.2 ± 11.5 vs. 59.2 ± 9.0, p = 0.002; FDI: 48.2 ± 7.5 vs. 38.8 ± 7.5 vs. 33.0 ± 5.3, p < 0.001). CSA of FDI and EI of biceps and FDI correlated with previous validated outcome measures [polyneuropathy disability score, neuropathy impairment score, Karnofsky performance scale, Rasch-built overall disability scale, European quality of life (QoL)-5 dimensions and Norfolk QoL questionnaire-diabetic neuropathy]. CONCLUSION QMUS revealed significant difference between ATTRv amyloidosis patients and healthy controls and showed strong correlation with clinical outcome measures. QMUS serves as a sensitive and reliable biomarker of disease severity in ATTRv-PN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siew Yin Tan
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Cheng Yin Tan
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Lembah Pantai, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Mohd Azly Yahya
- Neurophysiology Laboratory, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Soon Chai Low
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nortina Shahrizaila
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Khean Jin Goh
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Nalbant MO, Inci E. The Efficiency of Gray-Level Ultrasound Histogram Analysis in Patients with Supraspinatus Tendinopathy. Niger J Clin Pract 2023; 26:1709-1715. [PMID: 38044777 DOI: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_325_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal ultrasonography is a viable substitute for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that offers advantages in terms of time efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The gray-level histogram is a tool used to depict the distribution of pixel gray levels that provide quantitative data. AIM The objective of our research was to establish a threshold value for ultrasonography-measured supraspinatus tendon gray-level values by comparing patients with tendinopathy to those without. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study comprised a cohort of 271 individuals, consisting of 124 patients diagnosed with supraspinatus tendinopathy and 147 cases without the aforementioned condition who underwent shoulder MRI and ultrasound examinations. Two radiologists independently conducted the gray-level histogram analyses. The histogram parameters were determined, including the mean, minimum, median, maximum, fifth, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles, as well as skewness, kurtosis, and variance. The interobserver agreement was evaluated using the interclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS The supraspinatus tendinopathy group's all gray-level values were lower than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). The supraspinatus tendinopathy group exhibited greater values of skewness and kurtosis in comparison to the control group (P < .05). The area under the curve of the 95th percentile of the gray-level value was the highest (area under the curve = 0.960; cut-off value = 82.5; sensitivity = 96.7%; specificity = 88.2%). CONCLUSION The analysis of the histogram of gray-level values has the potential to be a promising method for the monitoring of patients with supraspinatus tendinopathy. This approach could be considered a feasible alternative to MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- M O Nalbant
- Department of Radiology, University of Health Sciences, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Fionda L, Vanoli F, Di Pasquale A, Leonardi L, Morino S, Merlonghi G, Lauletta A, Alfieri G, Costanzo R, Tufano L, Rossini E, Bucci E, Grossi A, Tupler R, Salvetti M, Garibaldi M, Antonini G. Comparison of quantitative muscle ultrasound and whole-body muscle MRI in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 patients. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:4057-4064. [PMID: 37311950 PMCID: PMC10570177 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06842-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Muscle ultrasound is a fast, non-invasive and cost-effective examination that can identify structural muscular changes by assessing muscle thickness and echointensity (EI) with a quantitative analysis (QMUS). To assess applicability and repeatability of QMUS, we evaluated patients with genetically confirmed facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy type 1 (FSHD1), comparing their muscle ultrasound characteristics with healthy controls and with those detected by MRI. We also evaluated relationships between QMUS and demographic and clinical characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirteen patients were included in the study. Clinical assessment included MRC sum score, FSHD score and The Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Form (CCEF). QMUS was performed with a linear transducer scanning bilaterally pectoralis major, deltoid, rectus femoris, tibialis anterior and semimembranosus muscles in patients and healthy subjects. For each muscle, we acquired three images, which were analysed calculating muscle EI by computer-assisted grey-scale analysis. QMUS analysis was compared with semiquantitative 1.5 T muscle MRI scale. RESULTS All muscles in FSHD patients showed a significant increased echogenicity compared to the homologous muscles in healthy subjects. Older subjects and patients with higher FSHD score presented increased muscle EI. Tibialis anterior MRC showed a significant inverse correlation with EI. Higher median EI was found in muscles with more severe MRI fat replacement. CONCLUSIONS QMUS allows quantitative evaluation of muscle echogenicity, displaying a tight correlation with muscular alterations, clinical and MRI data. Although a confirmation on larger sample is needed, our research suggests a possible future application of QMUS in diagnosis and management of muscular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fionda
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy.
| | - Fiammetta Vanoli
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
- Neurology IV-Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Luca Leonardi
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Morino
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Gioia Merlonghi
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Lauletta
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Girolamo Alfieri
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
- Neurology IV-Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Rocco Costanzo
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Tufano
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Rossini
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bucci
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Grossi
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Tupler
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Marco Salvetti
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Garibaldi
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Antonini
- Neuromuscular and Rare Disease Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, SAPIENZA University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189, Rome, Italy
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de Andrade RLF, Mendonça JA, Piotto DP, Guimarães JB, Terreri MT. Could ultrasound and muscle elastography be associated with clinical assessment, laboratory and nailfold capillaroscopy in juvenile dermatomyositis patients? Adv Rheumatol 2023; 63:48. [PMID: 37803481 DOI: 10.1186/s42358-023-00330-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) is the most common idiopathic inflammatory myopathy in children. Imaging exams are useful for muscle assessment, with ultrasonography (US) being a promising tool in detecting disease activity and tissue damage. There are few studies about muscle elastography. OBJECTIVES Our aim was to associate clinical, laboratory, and nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) assessments with US in JDM patients; and to compare the findings of US and Strain Elastography (SE) from patients and healthy controls. METHODS An analytic cross-sectional study was performed with JDM patients and healthy controls. Patients underwent clinical exam to access muscle strength and completed questionnaires about global assessment of the disease and functional capacity. Patients were submitted to NC and measurement of muscle enzymes. All subjects underwent US assessment, using gray scale, Power Doppler (PD), and SE. RESULTS Twenty-two JDM patients and fourteen controls, aged between 5 and 21 years, matched for age and sex were assessed. In qualitative and semi-quantitative gray scale, we observed a higher frequency of alterations in patients (p < 0.001), while in PD, there was a higher frequency of positivity in patients' deltoids and anterior tibialis (p < 0.001). Active disease was associated with an important change in the semi-quantitative gray scale in deltoids (p = 0.007), biceps brachii (p = 0.001) and quadriceps femoris (p = 0.005). The SE demonstrated a high negative predictive value of 87.2. CONCLUSION US was able, through gray scale, to differentiate JDM patients from controls, while PD achieved such differentiation only for deltoids and anterior tibialis. The semi-quantitative gray scale showed disease activity in proximal muscles. SE was not able to differentiate patients from controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Lopes Francisco de Andrade
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Rheumatology, Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Dr Bacelar, St, 173. Vila Clementino, São Paulo, 01026-000, Brazil.
| | - José Alexandre Mendonça
- Department of Rheumatology, Pontifical Catholic University from Campinas - PUC/Campinas, John Boyd Dunlop, s/n, Avenue, Campinas, 13034-685, Brazil
| | - Daniela Petry Piotto
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Rheumatology, Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Dr Bacelar, St, 173. Vila Clementino, São Paulo, 01026-000, Brazil
| | - Julio Brandão Guimarães
- Department of Radiology and Image Diagnosis, Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Napoleão de Barros, St, 800, São Paulo, 04024-000, Brazil
| | - Maria Teresa Terreri
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Rheumatology, Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP, Dr Bacelar, St, 173. Vila Clementino, São Paulo, 01026-000, Brazil
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Lapp HS, Freigang M, Hagenacker T, Weiler M, Wurster CD, Günther R. Biomarkers in 5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy-a narrative review. J Neurol 2023; 270:4157-4178. [PMID: 37289324 PMCID: PMC10421827 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11787-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, resulting in a loss of functional SMN protein and consecutive degeneration of motor neurons in the ventral horn. The disease is clinically characterized by proximal paralysis and secondary skeletal muscle atrophy. New disease-modifying drugs driving SMN gene expression have been developed in the past decade and have revolutionized SMA treatment. The rise of treatment options led to a concomitant need of biomarkers for therapeutic guidance and an improved disease monitoring. Intensive efforts have been undertaken to develop suitable markers, and numerous candidate biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive values have been identified. The most promising markers include appliance-based measures such as electrophysiological and imaging-based indices as well as molecular markers including SMN-related proteins and markers of neurodegeneration and skeletal muscle integrity. However, none of the proposed biomarkers have been validated for the clinical routine yet. In this narrative review, we discuss the most promising candidate biomarkers for SMA and expand the discussion by addressing the largely unfolded potential of muscle integrity markers, especially in the context of upcoming muscle-targeting therapies. While the discussed candidate biomarkers hold potential as either diagnostic (e.g., SMN-related biomarkers), prognostic (e.g., markers of neurodegeneration, imaging-based markers), predictive (e.g., electrophysiological markers) or response markers (e.g., muscle integrity markers), no single measure seems to be suitable to cover all biomarker categories. Hence, a combination of different biomarkers and clinical assessments appears to be the most expedient solution at the time.
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Affiliation(s)
- H S Lapp
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - M Freigang
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - T Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Science (C-TNBS), University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - M Weiler
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C D Wurster
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - René Günther
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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de Oliveira JK, Schaan CW, Silva CK, Piva TC, Sousa ITE, Bruno F, Lukrafka JL. Reliability of ultrasound in the assessment of muscle thickness in critically ill children. An Pediatr (Barc) 2023:S2341-2879(23)00100-X. [PMID: 37198052 DOI: 10.1016/j.anpede.2023.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ultrasound has been used to quantify and qualify muscle morphology in critically ill children and can detect changes in muscle thickness. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of ultrasound measurement of muscle thickness in critically ill children and to compare the assessments made by an expert with those made by inexperienced sonographers. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cross-sectional observational study conducted in the paediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary care university hospital in Brazil. The sample included patients aged 1 month to 12 years who received invasive mechanical ventilation for at least 24 h. Ultrasound images of the biceps brachii/brachialis and quadriceps femoris were obtained by one experienced sonographer and several inexperienced sonographers. We assessed intrarater and inter-rater reliability by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman plot analysis. RESULTS Muscle thickness was measured in 10 children with a mean age of 15.5 months. The mean thickness of the assessed muscles as 1.14 cm for the biceps brachii/brachialis (standard deviation [SD], 0.27) and 1.85 cm for the quadriceps femoris (SD, 0.61). The intrarater and inter-rater reliability were good for all sonographers (ICC > 0.81). The differences were small, there was no significant bias in the Bland-Altman plots and all measurements were within the limits of agreement, except for 1 measurement of biceps and quadriceps. CONCLUSION Sonography can be used in critically ill children to accurately assess changes in muscle thickness, even by different evaluators. More studies are needed to establish a standardised approach to the use of ultrasound for monitoring muscle loss in order to incorporate it in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica Knisspell de Oliveira
- Programa de Posgrado en Pediatría, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre (RS), Brasil.
| | | | | | | | - Ian Teixeira E Sousa
- Programa de Posgrado en Salud Infantil y Adolescente, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre (RS), Brasil
| | - Francisco Bruno
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre (RS), Brasil
| | - Janice Luisa Lukrafka
- Programa de Posgrado en Pediatría, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre (RS), Brasil
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van den Bersselaar LR, van Alfen N, Kruijt N, Kamsteeg EJ, Fernandez-Garcia MA, Treves S, Riazi S, Yang CY, Malagon I, van Eijk LT, van Engelen BGM, Scheffer GJ, Jungbluth H, Snoeck MMJ, Voermans NC. Muscle Ultrasound Abnormalities in Individuals with RYR1-Related Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptibility. J Neuromuscul Dis 2023:JND230018. [PMID: 37154182 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variants in RYR1, the gene encoding the ryanodine receptor-1, can give rise to a wide spectrum of neuromuscular conditions. Muscle imaging abnormalities have been demonstrated in isolated cases of patients with a history of RYR1-related malignant hyperthermia (MH) susceptibility. OBJECTIVE To provide insights into the type and prevalence of muscle ultrasound abnormalities and muscle hypertrophy in patients carrying gain-of-function RYR1 variants associated with MH susceptibility and to contribute to delineating the wider phenotype, optimizing the diagnostic work-up and care for of MH susceptible patients. METHODS We performed a prospective cross-sectional observational muscle ultrasound study in patients with a history of RYR1-related MH susceptibility (n = 40). Study procedures included a standardized history of neuromuscular symptoms and a muscle ultrasound assessment. Muscle ultrasound images were analyzed using a quantitative and qualitative approach and compared to reference values and subsequently subjected to a screening protocol for neuromuscular disorders. RESULTS A total of 15 (38%) patients had an abnormal muscle ultrasound result, 4 (10%) had a borderline muscle ultrasound screening result, and 21 (53%) had a normal muscle ultrasound screening result. The proportion of symptomatic patients with an abnormal result (11 of 24; 46%) was not significantly higher compared to the proportion of asymptomatic patients with an abnormal ultrasound result (4 of 16; 25%) (P = 0.182). The mean z-scores of the biceps brachii (z = 1.45; P < 0.001), biceps femoris (z = 0.43; P = 0.002), deltoid (z = 0.31; P = 0.009), trapezius (z = 0.38; P = 0.010) and the sum of all muscles (z = 0.40; P < 0.001) were significantly higher compared to 0, indicating hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS Patients with RYR1 variants resulting in MH susceptibility often have muscle ultrasound abnormalities. Frequently observed muscle ultrasound abnormalities include muscle hypertrophy and increased echogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luuk R van den Bersselaar
- Department of Anesthesiology, Malignant Hyperthermia Investigation Unit, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuromuscular Imaging Group, Donders Institutefor Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University MedicalCenter, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuromuscular Imaging Group, Donders Institutefor Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University MedicalCenter, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nick Kruijt
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuromuscular Imaging Group, Donders Institutefor Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University MedicalCenter, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erik-Jan Kamsteeg
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Miguel A Fernandez-Garcia
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Neuromuscular Service, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Susan Treves
- Departments of Biomedicine and Neurology, Neuromuscular research Group, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sheila Riazi
- Department of Anesthesia, Malignant Hyperthermia Investigation Unit, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Chu-Ya Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Malignant Hyperthermia Investigation Unit, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ignacio Malagon
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lucas T van Eijk
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuromuscular Imaging Group, Donders Institutefor Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University MedicalCenter, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Gert-Jan Scheffer
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Heinz Jungbluth
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Neuromuscular Service, Evelina Children's Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Randall Division for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Muscle Signalling Section, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College, London, UK
| | - Marc M J Snoeck
- Department of Anesthesiology, Malignant Hyperthermia Investigation Unit, Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuromuscular Imaging Group, Donders Institutefor Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University MedicalCenter, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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11
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Zubair AS, Salam S, Dimachkie MM, Machado PM, Roy B. Imaging biomarkers in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1146015. [PMID: 37181575 PMCID: PMC10166883 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1146015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a group of acquired muscle diseases with muscle inflammation, weakness, and other extra-muscular manifestations. IIMs can significantly impact the quality of life, and management of IIMs often requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Imaging biomarkers have become an integral part of the management of IIMs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), muscle ultrasound, electrical impedance myography (EIM), and positron emission tomography (PET) are the most widely used imaging technologies in IIMs. They can help make the diagnosis and assess the burden of muscle damage and treatment response. MRI is the most widely used imaging biomarker of IIMs and can assess a large volume of muscle tissue but is limited by availability and cost. Muscle ultrasound and EIM are easy to administer and can even be performed in the clinical setting, but they need further validation. These technologies may complement muscle strength testing and laboratory studies and provide an objective assessment of muscle health in IIMs. Furthermore, this is a rapidly progressing field, and new advances are going to equip care providers with a better objective assessment of IIMS and eventually improve patient management. This review discusses the current state and future direction of imaging biomarkers in IIMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeel S. Zubair
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Sharfaraz Salam
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mazen M. Dimachkie
- Department of Neurology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
| | - Pedro M. Machado
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bhaskar Roy
- Division of Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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12
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Pinto MD, Silveira Pinto R, Nosaka K, Blazevich AJ. Do Intramuscular Temperature and Fascicle Angle Affect Ultrasound Echo Intensity Values? Med Sci Sports Exerc 2023; 55:740-750. [PMID: 36355345 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ultrasound-derived echo intensity (EI) has been used as a physiological marker for changes in skeletal muscle "quality" with physical training, disuse, aging, and neuromuscular disorders. However, the methodological and physiological factors influencing EI and its longitudinal change are still unclear. Here, we performed two separate experiments to investigate the effects of muscle temperature and fascicle angle, which are known to influence muscle tissue and sound wave properties and therefore affect EI. METHODS In experiment 1 ( n = 16, 28.0 ± 6.6 yr), vastus lateralis (VL) ultrasonographic images were acquired and intramuscular temperature continuously recorded for 15 min after 20 min of heating to 40.4°C ± 0.7°C using a microwave device. In experiment 2 ( n = 17, 30.2 ± 9.8 yr), VL sonographic images were obtained with the knee both fully extended (0°) and flexed to 90° and EI and fascicle angle measured post hoc . Fascicle movement was tracked during the passive knee flexion to ensure that sonographic images were obtained at the same muscle region. Knee flexion reduced muscle thickness, and we therefore reran analyses calculating EI using identical dimensions to minimize this effect. RESULTS EI decreased only immediately after the passive heating, and although a moderate, negative correlation was observed between EI and temperature ( rrm = -0.36), the effect of muscle temperature was small ( β = 0.97 (-1.89 to -0.06) per degree Celsius, P = 0.051). Nonetheless, EI increased as fascicle angle decreased, and a large, negative correlation ( rrm = -0.85) was observed; the effect of fascicle angle on EI was large ( β = 3.0 (-3.8 to -2.2) per degree, P < 0.01), and this was maintained when analyses were performed at a constant depth of the region of interest ( β = 3.5 (-4.4 to -2.7) per degree, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS These findings support the hypothesis that fascicle angle meaningfully affects VL EI but provides weak evidence of a temperature effect in vivo . Thus, acute fascicle angle alterations should be accounted for in studies using EI measurements, and longer-term studies should consider whether changes in EI might be partly explained by a change in fascicle angle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Daros Pinto
- Centre for Human Performance, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, AUSTRALIA
| | | | - Kazunori Nosaka
- Centre for Human Performance, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, AUSTRALIA
| | - Anthony John Blazevich
- Centre for Human Performance, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, AUSTRALIA
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13
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Preclinical Ultrasonography in Rodent Models of Neuromuscular Disorders: The State of the Art for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054976. [PMID: 36902405 PMCID: PMC10003358 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasonography is a safe, non-invasive imaging technique used in several fields of medicine, offering the possibility to longitudinally monitor disease progression and treatment efficacy over time. This is particularly useful when a close follow-up is required, or in patients with pacemakers (not suitable for magnetic resonance imaging). By virtue of these advantages, ultrasonography is commonly used to detect multiple skeletal muscle structural and functional parameters in sports medicine, as well as in neuromuscular disorders, e.g., myotonic dystrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The recent development of high-resolution ultrasound devices allowed the use of this technique in preclinical settings, particularly for echocardiographic assessments that make use of specific guidelines, currently lacking for skeletal muscle measurements. In this review, we describe the state of the art for ultrasound skeletal muscle applications in preclinical studies conducted in small rodents, aiming to provide the scientific community with necessary information to support an independent validation of these procedures for the achievement of standard protocols and reference values useful in translational research on neuromuscular disorders.
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14
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de Oliveira JK, Schaan CW, Silva CK, Piva TC, Sousa ITE, Bruno F, Lukrafka JL. Fiabilidad de la ecografía en la evaluación del grosor muscular en niños críticamente enfermos. An Pediatr (Barc) 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2023.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
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15
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Danko V, Jüngert J, Schuessler S, Buehler A, Klett D, Federle A, Roos A, Lochmüller H, Neurath MF, Woelfle J, Trollmann R, Waldner MJ, Knieling F, Regensburger AP, Wagner AL. Hybrid reflected-ultrasound computed tomography versus B-mode-ultrasound for muscle scoring in spinal muscular atrophy. J Neuroimaging 2023; 33:393-403. [PMID: 36627228 DOI: 10.1111/jon.13081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Novel light- and sound-based technologies like multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) with co-registered reflected-ultrasound computed tomography (RUCT) could add additional value to conventional ultrasound (US) for disease phenotyping in pediatric spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of RUCT compared to US for qualitative and quantitative assessment of imaging neuromuscular disorders. METHODS Subanalyzing the MSOT SMA study, 288 RUCT and 276 US images from 10 SMA patients (mean age 9.0 ± 3.7) and 10 gender- and age-matched healthy volunteers (HV; mean age 8.7 ± 4.3) were analyzed for quantitative (grayscale levels [GSLs]) and qualitative (echogenicity, distribution pattern, Heckmatt scale, and muscle texture) muscle changes. RUCT and US measures were further correlated with clinical standard motor outcomes. RESULTS Quantitative agreement using GSLs revealed significantly higher GSLs in muscles of SMA patients compared to healthy muscles in both techniques (US mean GSL [SD] SMA vs. HV: 110.70 [27.8] vs. 68.85 [19.2], p < .0001; RUCT mean GSL [SD] SMA vs. HV: 91.81 [21.8] vs. 59.86 [8.2], p < .0001) with good correlation with motor outcome tests, respectively. Qualitative agreement between methods for muscle composition was excellent for differentiation of pathological versus healthy muscles, echogenicity, and distribution pattern, moderate for Heckmatt scale, and poor for muscle texture. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that RUCT may allow the assessment of basic qualitative and quantitative measures for muscular diseases with comparable results to conventional US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Danko
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Pediatric Experimental and Translational Imaging Laboratory (PETI-Lab), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg Jüngert
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stephanie Schuessler
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Adrian Buehler
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Pediatric Experimental and Translational Imaging Laboratory (PETI-Lab), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Daniel Klett
- Medical Department 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,German Center Immunotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anna Federle
- Medical Department 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,German Center Immunotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Roos
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital; and Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Neurology, Heimer Institute for Muscle Research, University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital; and Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Markus F Neurath
- Medical Department 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,German Center Immunotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Joachim Woelfle
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Regina Trollmann
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maximilian J Waldner
- Medical Department 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,German Center Immunotherapy, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ferdinand Knieling
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Pediatric Experimental and Translational Imaging Laboratory (PETI-Lab), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Adrian P Regensburger
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Pediatric Experimental and Translational Imaging Laboratory (PETI-Lab), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexandra L Wagner
- Pediatric Experimental and Translational Imaging Laboratory (PETI-Lab), University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Center for Chronically Sick Children, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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16
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Hannaford A, Vucic S, van Alfen N, Simon NG. Muscle ultrasound in hereditary muscle disease. Neuromuscul Disord 2022; 32:851-863. [PMID: 36323605 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2022.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
In this review we summarise the key techniques of muscle ultrasound as they apply to hereditary muscle disease. We review the diagnostic utility of muscle ultrasound including its role in guiding electromyography and muscle biopsy sampling. We summarize the different patterns of sonographic muscle involvement in the major categories of genetic muscle disorders and discuss the limitations of the technique. We hope to encourage others to adopt ultrasound in their care for patients with hereditary muscle diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Hannaford
- Brain and Nerve Research Center, Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Research Center, Concord Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Neil G Simon
- Northern Beaches Clinical School, Macquarie University, Suite 6a, 105 Frenchs Forest Rd W, Frenchs Forest, Sydney, NSW 2086, Australia.
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17
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Hsieh PC, Chang CW, Ro LS, Huang CC, Chi JE, Kuo HC. Ultrasonography of abdominal muscles: Differential diagnosis of late-onset Pompe disease and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Front Neurol 2022; 13:944464. [PMID: 36147041 PMCID: PMC9488967 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.944464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Axial muscles are involved earlier and to a greater extent in late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) than in myotonic muscular dystrophy type 1 (DM1). We aimed to evaluate abdominal muscles in LOPD compared in DM1 using muscle ultrasonography. Methods Patients with LOPD (n = 3), DM1 (n = 10), and age- and gender-matched healthy subjects (n = 34) were enrolled for muscle ultrasonography. Patients with LOPD and DM1 were 20 to 59 years of age with a disease duration ranging between 7 and 30 years. A multifrequency linear transducer was used to evaluate quality and thickness in the abdominal muscles and extremities. Results The quantitative muscle echo score revealed a higher Z score in abdominal muscles in Patients with LOPD (scores were relatively normal for the biceps and flexor digitorum groups). Patients with LOPD had significantly lower abdominal muscle thickness than patients with DM1. Abdominal muscle strength was significantly correlated with the muscle echogenicity, trunk impairment scale, and trunk control test. The extremities' sum score was correlated with the total Medical Research Council score. Discussion The increased quantitative muscle score in abdominal muscles, sparing the biceps and flexor digitorum groups, may offer differential diagnosis between LOPD and DM1. Ultrasound can easily access abdominal muscles and investigate muscle echogenicity and thickness. A quantitative approach using muscle echogenicity rather than muscle thickness may provide a greater correlation with trunk muscle function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Chen Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Wei Chang
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Long-Sun Ro
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Chang Huang
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jia-En Chi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Bone and Joint Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chou Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Hung-Chou Kuo
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18
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Gutierrez R, McCrady A, Masterson C, Tolman S, Boukhechba M, Barnes L, Blemker S, Scharf R. Upper EXTremity Examination for Neuromuscular Diseases (U-EXTEND): Protocol for multi-modal feasibility study (Preprint). JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e40856. [PMID: 36301603 PMCID: PMC9650577 DOI: 10.2196/40856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Neuromuscular diseases, such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), may result in the loss of motor movements, respiratory failure, and early mortality in young children and in adulthood. With novel treatments now available, new evaluation methods are needed to assess progress that is not currently captured in existing motor scale tests. Objective With our feasibility study, our interdisciplinary team of investigators aims to develop a novel, multimodal paradigm of measuring motor function in children with neuromuscular diseases that will revolutionize the way that clinical trial end points are measured, thereby accelerating the pipeline of new treatments for childhood neuromuscular diseases. Through the Upper Extremity Examination for Neuromuscular Diseases (U-EXTEND) study, we hypothesize that the novel objective measures of upper extremity muscle structure and function proposed herein will be able to capture small changes and differences in function that cannot be measured with current clinical metrics. Methods U-EXTEND introduces a novel paradigm in which concrete, quantitative measures are used to assess motor function in patients with SMA and DMD. Aim 1 will focus on the use of ultrasound techniques to study muscle size, quality, and function, specifically isolating the biceps and pronator muscles of the upper extremities for follow-ups over time. To achieve this, clinical investigators will extract a set of measurements related to muscle structure, quality, and function by using ultrasound imaging and handheld dynamometry. Aim 2 will focus on leveraging wearable wireless sensor technology to capture motion data as participants perform activities of daily living. Measurement data will be examined and compared to those from a healthy cohort, and a motor function score will be calculated. Results Data collection for both aims began in January 2021. As of July 2022, we have enrolled 44 participants (9 with SMA, 20 with DMD, and 15 healthy participants). We expect the initial results to be published in summer 2022. Conclusions We hypothesize that by applying the described tools and techniques for measuring muscle structure and upper extremity function, we will have created a system for the precise quantification of changes in motor function among patients with neuromuscular diseases. Our study will allow us to track the minimal clinically important difference over time to assess progress in novel treatments. By comparing the muscle scores and functional scores over multiple visits, we will be able to detect small changes in both the ability of the participants to perform the functional tasks and their intrinsic muscle properties. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/40856
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Gutierrez
- School of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Allison McCrady
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Chelsea Masterson
- University of Virginia Children's Hospital, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Sarah Tolman
- School of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Mehdi Boukhechba
- School of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Laura Barnes
- School of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Silvia Blemker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Rebecca Scharf
- University of Virginia Children's Hospital, Charlottesville, VA, United States
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19
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Alabdali LAS, Winkens B, Dinant GJ, van Alfen N, Ottenheijm RPG. Shoulder muscle changes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have a painful shoulder: a quantitative muscle ultrasound study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2022; 23:674. [PMID: 35836153 PMCID: PMC9281102 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-022-05627-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It is assumed that in patients with diabetic neuropathy, muscle denervation can result in shoulder disorders. Muscle denervation will lead to changes in muscle architecture, which can be assessed by quantitative muscle ultrasound (QMUS). The aim was to investigate whether increased muscle echogenicity, as a sign of neuropathy, is more often present in patients with shoulder pain who have type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) than in those without. Methods Sixty-six patients with T2DM and 23 patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) having shoulder pain were included. Quantitative muscle ultrasound images were obtained bilaterally from the biceps brachii, deltoid, and supra- and infraspinatus muscles. The mean echogenicity (muscle ultrasound grey value) was transformed into z-scores and compared to reference values obtained from 50 healthy participants. Associations between muscle echogenicity and clinical variables were explored. Results In painful shoulders of both patients with T2DM and patients without DM, mean echogenicity z-scores of all muscles were significantly increased compared to healthy controls. No significant differences in echogenicity between patients with T2DM and those without DM were found. In patients with T2DM, a distal symmetric polyneuropathy was significantly associated with increased echogenicity of all muscles except the infraspinatus muscle. Conclusions These findings indicate that patients with painful shoulders, irrespective of having T2DM, seem to have abnormal shoulder muscles. Future studies are needed to elucidate whether neuropathy or other conditions lead to these muscle changes. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-022-05627-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Login Ahmed S Alabdali
- Dept. of Family Medicine, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. .,Ministry of Education, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
| | - Bjorn Winkens
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan Dinant
- Dept. of Family Medicine, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Dept. of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ramon P G Ottenheijm
- Dept. of Family Medicine, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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20
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Walter AW, Lim J, Raaphorst J, Smithuis FF, den Harder JM, Eftimov F, Potters W, Saris CGJ, de Visser M, van Schaik IN, de Haan RJ, van der Kooi AJ, Verhamme C. Ultrasound and MR muscle imaging in new onset idiopathic inflammatory myopathies at diagnosis and after treatment: a comparative pilot study. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2022; 62:300-309. [PMID: 35536176 PMCID: PMC9788821 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To prospectively compare ultrasound (US) and whole-body MRI for detection of muscle abnormalities compatible with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). METHODS Newly diagnosed IIM patients underwent US (14 muscles) and MRI (36 muscles) at diagnosis and after nine weeks monotherapy with intravenous immunoglobulin. Muscles were compatible with IIM when quantitative US echo-intensity (EI) z scores was ≥1.5, semi-quantitative US Heckmatt score was ≥2, qualitative US was abnormal, or when MRI showed oedema on T2-weighted images. At patient level, findings were classified as abnormal when quantitative US EI z scores was >1.5 (n = 3 muscles), >2.5 (n = 2 muscles) or >3.5 (n = 1 muscle), or if ≥3 muscles showed abnormalities as described above for the other diagnostic methods. RESULTS At diagnosis, in 18 patients US of 252 muscles revealed abnormalities in 36 muscles (14%) with quantitative, in 153 (61%) with semi-quantitative and in 168 (67%) with qualitative analysis. MRI showed oedema in 476 out of 623 muscles (76%). Five patients (28%) reached abnormal classification with quantitative US, 16 (89%) with semi-quantitative and qualitative US, and all patients (100%) with MRI. Nine-week follow-up of 12 patients showed no change over time with quantitative US or MRI, and a decrease in abnormalities with semi-quantitative US (P <0.01), and qualitative US (P <0.01). CONCLUSION At diagnosis, MRI was more sensitive than US to detect muscle abnormalities compatible with IIM. Semi-quantitative US and qualitative US detected abnormalities in the majority of the patients while evaluating fewer muscles than MRI and showed change over time after nine weeks of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne W Walter
- Correspondence to: Anne Walter, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, PO Box 22700 DE Amsterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail:
| | | | - Joost Raaphorst
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience
| | - Frank F Smithuis
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam
| | - J Michiel den Harder
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam
| | - Filip Eftimov
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience
| | - Wouter Potters
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience
| | - Christiaan G J Saris
- Department of Neurology, Radboud UMC, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen
| | - Marianne de Visser
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience
| | - Ivo N van Schaik
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience,Board, Spaarne Gasthuis, Haarlem
| | - Rob J de Haan
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anneke J van der Kooi
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience
| | - Camiel Verhamme
- Department of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience
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21
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Sarcopenia in Children with Solid Organ Tumors: An Instrumental Era. Cells 2022; 11:cells11081278. [PMID: 35455957 PMCID: PMC9024674 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcopenia has recently been studied in both adults and children and was found to be a prognostic marker for adverse outcome in a variety of patient groups. Our research showed that sarcopenia is a relevant marker in predicting outcome in children with solid organ tumors, such as hepatoblastoma and neuroblastoma. This was especially true in very ill, high-risk groups. Children with cancer have a higher likelihood of ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass due to a mismatch in energy intake and expenditure. Additionally, the effects of cancer therapy, hormonal alterations, chronic inflammation, multi-organ dysfunction, and a hypermetabolic state all contribute to a loss of skeletal muscle mass. Sarcopenia seems to be able to pinpoint this waste to a high degree in a new and objective way, making it an additional tool in predicting and improving outcome in children. This article focuses on the current state of sarcopenia in children with solid organ tumors. It details the pathophysiological mechanisms behind sarcopenia, highlighting the technical features of the available methods for measuring muscle mass, strength, and function, including artificial intelligence (AI)-based techniques. It also reviews the latest research on sarcopenia in children, focusing on children with solid organ tumors.
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22
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Bulut N, Karaduman A, Alemdaroğlu-Gürbüz İ, Yilmaz Ö, Topaloğlu H, Özçakar L. Ultrasonographic assessment of lower limb muscle architecture in children with early-stage Duchenne muscular dystrophy. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2022; 80:475-481. [PMID: 35195227 DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x-anp-2021-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Muscle imaging methods such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging have been used for many years to determine the dystrophic process in muscular dystrophies. However, the knowledge regarding muscle architecture in children at early-stage Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with different functional levels is limited. OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of functional level on muscle architectural properties in children with early stage DMD and the difference between DMD and typically developing (TD) peers. METHODS Thirty children with DMD (15 Grade 1 and 15 Grade 2 according to the Vignos Scale) and 5 TD peers were included. Ultrasound imaging was used to measure muscle thickness (MT), fascicle length (FL), and pennation angle (PA) of vastus lateralis (VL) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles bilaterally. RESULTS The MT and FL values for VL, and MT, FL and PA values for MG muscles were higher in children with DMD compared with those of TD peers (p<0.05). The FL of VL, and MT and FL of GM muscles of children with DMD Grade 2 were higher than those of children with DMD Grade 1 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS MT and FL are increased in children with DMD compared with TD peers. Additionally, muscle architecture seems to be affected even at the early stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Numan Bulut
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Karaduman
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey.,Lokman Hekim University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey
| | | | - Öznur Yilmaz
- Hacettepe University, Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Haluk Topaloğlu
- Hacettepe University, Medical School, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara, Turkey.,Yeditepe University Hospital, Department of Child Health and Diseases, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Levent Özçakar
- Hacettepe University, Medical School, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey
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23
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Mamyrova G, McBride E, Yao L, Shrader JA, Jain M, Yao J, Curiel RV, Miller FW, Harris-Love MO, Rider LG. Preliminary Validation of Muscle Ultrasound in Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM). Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:SI48-SI55. [PMID: 34791066 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare muscle ultrasound (MUS) parameters in patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) and healthy controls, and examine their association with JDM disease activity measures and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS MUS of the right mid-rectus femoris was performed in 21 patients with JDM meeting probable or definite Bohan and Peter criteria and 28 demographically-matched healthy control subjects. MUS parameters were quantitated by digital image processing, and correlated with JDM disease activity measures and semi-quantitative thigh MRI short tau inversion recovery (STIR) and T1 scores. RESULTS Rectus femoris MUS echogenicity was increased (median 47.8 vs 38.5, p= 0.002) in patients with JDM compared with controls. Rectus femoris MUS echogenicity correlated with Physician Global Activity (PGA), Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), and Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale (CMAS) (rs 0.4-0.54). Some MUS parameters correlated with functional quantitative measures of muscle strength: resting RF area on MUS strongly correlated with knee extension quantitative muscle testing (QMT) (rs 0.76), and contracted area correlated with proximal MMT, knee extension QMT, and CMAS (rs 0.71-0.80). MUS echogenicity correlated with both STIR and T1 MRI (rs 0.43), and T1 MRI correlated inversely with RF contracted area (rs -0.49) on MUS. There were differences in pre- and post-exercise vascular power and colour Doppler on MUS in patients with JDM vs controls, with the percentage change of post-exercise vascular power Doppler lower in JDM compared with controls (7.1% vs 100.0%). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest MUS may be a valuable imaging modality to assess JDM disease activity and damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulnara Mamyrova
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Erica McBride
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Lawrence Yao
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joseph A Shrader
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Minal Jain
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jianhua Yao
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rodolfo V Curiel
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Frederick W Miller
- Environmental Autoimmunity Group, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Michael O Harris-Love
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lisa G Rider
- Environmental Autoimmunity Group, Clinical Research Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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24
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Gómez-Andrés D, Oulhissane A, Quijano-Roy S. Two decades of advances in muscle imaging in children: from pattern recognition of muscle diseases to quantification and machine learning approaches. Neuromuscul Disord 2021; 31:1038-1050. [PMID: 34736625 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Muscle imaging has progressively gained popularity in the neuromuscular field. Together with detailed clinical examination and muscle biopsy, it has become one of the main tools for deep phenotyping and orientation of etiological diagnosis. Even in the current era of powerful new generation sequencing, muscle MRI has arisen as a tool for prioritization of certain genetic entities, supporting the pathogenicity of variants of unknown significance and facilitating diagnosis in cases with an initially inconclusive genetic study. Although the utility of muscle imaging is increasingly clear, it has not reached its full potential in clinical practice. Pattern recognition is known for a number of diseases and will certainly be enhanced by the use of machine learning approaches. For instance, MRI heatmap representations might be confronted with molecular results by obtaining a probabilistic diagnosis based in each disease "MRI fingerprints". Muscle ultrasound as a screening tool and quantified techniques such as Dixon MRI seem still underdeveloped. In this paper, we aim to appraise the advances in recent years in pediatric muscle imaging and try to define areas of uncertainty and potential advances that might become standardized to be widely used in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gómez-Andrés
- Pediatric Neurology, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, ERN-RND - EURO-NMD, Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus, Barcelona, Spain; European Network for Reference Centers on Neuromuscular Disorders (Euro-NMD ERN)
| | - Amal Oulhissane
- Université Paris-Saclay, APHP, Neuromuscular Unit, Pediatric Neurology and ICU Department, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, 92390 Garches, France
| | - Susana Quijano-Roy
- Université Paris-Saclay, APHP, Neuromuscular Unit, Pediatric Neurology and ICU Department, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, 92390 Garches, France; UMR 1179, Laboratoire handicap neuromusculaire: physiopathologie biothérapie pharmacologie appliquées (END-ICAP), UFR Simone Veil, Montigny Le Bretonneux, France; French Network of Neuromuscular Reference Centers (FILNEMUS), France.
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25
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Bouman K, Groothuis JT, Doorduin J, van Alfen N, Udink Ten Cate FEA, van den Heuvel FMA, Nijveldt R, van Tilburg WCM, Buckens SCFM, Dittrich ATM, Draaisma JMT, Janssen MCH, Kamsteeg EJ, van Kleef ESB, Koene S, Smeitink JAM, Küsters B, van Tienen FHJ, Smeets HJM, van Engelen BGM, Erasmus CE, Voermans NC. Natural history, outcome measures and trial readiness in LAMA2-related muscular dystrophy and SELENON-related myopathy in children and adults: protocol of the LAST STRONG study. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:313. [PMID: 34384384 PMCID: PMC8357962 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02336-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SELENON (SEPN1)-related myopathy (SELENON-RM) is a rare congenital myopathy characterized by slowly progressive proximal muscle weakness, early onset spine rigidity and respiratory insufficiency. A muscular dystrophy caused by mutations in the LAMA2 gene (LAMA2-related muscular dystrophy, LAMA2-MD) has a similar clinical phenotype, with either a severe, early-onset due to complete Laminin subunit α2 deficiency (merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A)), or a mild, childhood- or adult-onset due to partial Laminin subunit α2 deficiency. For both muscle diseases, no curative treatment options exist, yet promising preclinical studies are ongoing. Currently, there is a paucity on natural history data and appropriate clinical and functional outcome measures are needed to reach trial readiness. METHODS LAST STRONG is a natural history study in Dutch-speaking patients of all ages diagnosed with SELENON-RM or LAMA2-MD, starting August 2020. Patients have four visits at our hospital over a period of 1.5 year. At all visits, they undergo standardized neurological examination, hand-held dynamometry (age ≥ 5 years), functional measurements, questionnaires (patient report and/or parent proxy; age ≥ 2 years), muscle ultrasound including diaphragm, pulmonary function tests (spirometry, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, sniff nasal inspiratory pressure; age ≥ 5 years), and accelerometry for 8 days (age ≥ 2 years); at visit one and three, they undergo cardiac evaluation (electrocardiogram, echocardiography; age ≥ 2 years), spine X-ray (age ≥ 2 years), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA-)scan (age ≥ 2 years) and full body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (age ≥ 10 years). All examinations are adapted to the patient's age and functional abilities. Correlation between key parameters within and between subsequent visits will be assessed. DISCUSSION Our study will describe the natural history of patients diagnosed with SELENON-RM or LAMA2-MD, enabling us to select relevant clinical and functional outcome measures for reaching clinical trial-readiness. Moreover, our detailed description (deep phenotyping) of the clinical features will optimize clinical management and will establish a well-characterized baseline cohort for prospective follow-up. CONCLUSION Our natural history study is an essential step for reaching trial readiness in SELENON-RM and LAMA2-MD. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study has been approved by medical ethical reviewing committee Region Arnhem-Nijmegen (NL64269.091.17, 2017-3911) and is registered at ClinicalTrial.gov ( NCT04478981 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlijn Bouman
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Jan T Groothuis
- Department of Rehabilitation, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jonne Doorduin
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Floris E A Udink Ten Cate
- Department of Pediatric cardiology, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Robin Nijveldt
- Department of Cardiology, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Stan C F M Buckens
- Department of Radiology, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne T M Dittrich
- Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jos M T Draaisma
- Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mirian C H Janssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erik-Jan Kamsteeg
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Esmee S B van Kleef
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Saskia Koene
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Benno Küsters
- Department of Pathology, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Hubert J M Smeets
- Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Mental Health and Neurosciences (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- School for Developmental Biology and Oncology (GROW), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Baziel G M van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Corrie E Erasmus
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicol C Voermans
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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26
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Veltsista D, Chroni E. Ultrasound pattern of anterolateral leg muscles in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Acta Neurol Scand 2021; 144:216-220. [PMID: 33844852 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS OF STUDY To evaluate the degree of tibialis anterior (TA) and peroneus longus (PL) muscle involvement in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) patients using ultrasound. METHODS We performed qualitative and quantitative assessments of muscle echogenicity, using Heckmatt's rating scale and gray scale analysis, respectively, in eight patients (five males, mean age 36.9 ± 8.4 years) with genetically confirmed FSHD 1. RESULTS Both methods demonstrated a distinct pattern of preferential TA involvement and PL sparing in all FSHD patients, irrespective of the degree of muscle involvement. More specifically, echogenicity was higher in TA compared to PL according to Heckmatt score in the patient group (TA 3.43 ± 0.49/PL 1.43 ± 0.49, p < .001). In the gray-scale histogram, ranging from 0 (black) to 255 (white), the mean measurements of TA were significantly increased in patients compared to healthy (71.60 ± 10.28 vs. 53.70 ± 10.05, p = .012) and significantly higher than PL measurements in the patient group, but not in healthy subjects (p-values .012 and .779, respectively). A strong correlation between TA hyperechogenicity and muscle weakness was demonstrated in patients with mild-to-moderate weakness, but not in patients with severe weakness (r = -.949 and r = .644, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study shows a consistent US pattern of proximal anterolateral leg muscle involvement in FSHD, in agreement with findings of MRI studies and suggests that anterolateral leg muscle US may be a practical, fast and low-cost alternative to MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology Neuromuscular Center University of Patras Patras Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology Neuromuscular Center University of Patras Patras Greece
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27
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Goodenough CG, Partin RE, Ness KK. Skeletal Muscle and Childhood Cancer: Where are we now and where we go from here. AGING AND CANCER 2021; 2:13-35. [PMID: 34541550 PMCID: PMC8445321 DOI: 10.1002/aac2.12027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle (muscle) is essential for physical health and for metabolic integrity, with sarcopenia (progressive muscle mass loss and weakness), a pre-curser of aging and chronic disease. Loss of lean mass and muscle quality (force generation per unit of muscle) in the general population are associated with fatigue, weakness, and slowed walking speed, eventually interfering with the ability to maintain physical independence, and impacting participation in social roles and quality of life. Muscle mass and strength impairments are also documented during childhood cancer treatment, which often persist into adult survivorship, and contribute to an aging phenotype in this vulnerable population. Although several treatment exposures appear to confer increased risk for loss of mass and strength that persists after therapy, the pathophysiology responsible for poor muscle quantity and quality is not well understood in the childhood cancer survivor population. This is partly due to limited access to both pediatric and adult survivor muscle tissue samples, and to difficulties surrounding non-invasive investigative approaches for muscle assessment. Because muscle accounts for just under half of the body's mass, and is essential for movement, metabolism and metabolic health, understanding mechanisms of injury responsible for both initial and persistent dysfunction is important, and will provide a foundation for intervention. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the available evidence describing associations between childhood cancer, its treatment, and muscle outcomes, identifying gaps in current knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea G. Goodenough
- Epidemiology and Cancer Control Department, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Robyn E. Partin
- Epidemiology and Cancer Control Department, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kirsten K. Ness
- Epidemiology and Cancer Control Department, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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28
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Zaidman CM, Hobson-Webb LD. Quantitative muscle echointensity: A practical approach using ultrasound to evaluate children with suspected neuromuscular disorders. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:6-7. [PMID: 33955575 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Craig M Zaidman
- Neuromuscular Division, Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lisa D Hobson-Webb
- Neuromuscular Division, Department of Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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29
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Wijntjes J, van Alfen N. Muscle ultrasound: Present state and future opportunities. Muscle Nerve 2021; 63:455-466. [PMID: 33051891 PMCID: PMC8048972 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 09/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Muscle ultrasound is a valuable addition to the neuromuscular toolkit in both the clinic and research settings, with proven value and reliability. However, it is currently not fulfilling its full potential in the diagnostic care of patients with neuromuscular disease. This review highlights the possibilities and pitfalls of muscle ultrasound as a diagnostic tool and biomarker, and discusses challenges to its widespread implementation. We expect that limitations in visual image interpretation, posed by user inexperience, could be overcome with simpler scoring systems and the help of deep-learning algorithms. In addition, more information should be collected on the relation between specific neuromuscular disorders, disease stages, and expected ultrasound abnormalities, as this will enhance specificity of the technique and enable the use of muscle ultrasound as a biomarker. Quantified muscle ultrasound gives the most sensitive results but is hampered by the need for device-specific reference values. Efforts in creating dedicated muscle ultrasound systems and artificial intelligence to help with image interpretation are expected to improve usability. Finally, the standard inclusion of muscle and nerve ultrasound in neuromuscular teaching curricula and guidelines will facilitate further implementation in practice. Our hope is that this review will help in unleashing muscle ultrasound's full potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juerd Wijntjes
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviorRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and BehaviorRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
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30
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Boon AJ, Wijntjes J, O'Brien TG, Sorenson EJ, Cazares Gonzalez ML, van Alfen N. Diagnostic accuracy of gray scale muscle ultrasound screening for pediatric neuromuscular disease. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:50-58. [PMID: 33651404 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Gray scale ultrasound (US) has been demonstrated to be a sensitive and specific tool in the diagnosis of pediatric neuromuscular disease (NMD). With recent advances in genetic testing, the diagnostic work up for NMD has evolved. The purpose of this study was to compare the current diagnostic value of gray scale US to previously defined sensitivities and specificities to determine when this test can add value to a patient's diagnostic workup. METHODS Standardized quantitative gray scale US imaging was performed on 148 pediatric patients presenting for electrodiagnostic testing to evaluate for NMD. Patients were categorized as having an NMD, a non-NMD, or as "uncertain." The US results were defined as normal, borderline or abnormal based on echointensity values. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of the test were calculated. RESULTS Forty-five percent of the patients had an NMD, 54% a non-NMD, and in 1% the diagnosis remained uncertain. US was abnormal in 73% of myopathies, 63% of neuromuscular junction disorders, 60% of generalized neuropathies and 58% of focal neuropathies. After excluding patients in whom muscle US was not expected to be abnormal (eg, sensory neuropathy), sensitivity was 83%, specificity 79%, PPV 75%, NPV 86%, and accuracy 81%. CONCLUSIONS Quantitative gray scale muscle US still has good diagnostic value as a screening tool in pediatric NMD. As with any diagnostic test, muscle US is best used in conjunction with history and physical examination to increase specificity and diagnostic yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J Boon
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Juerd Wijntjes
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Travis G O'Brien
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Twin Cities Pain Clinic, Edina, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eric J Sorenson
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Miller J, Gollee H, Purcell M. Ultrasound Imaging as a Diagnostic Tool to Assess the Functional Status of Muscles after a Spinal Cord Injury. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2021; 47:386-397. [PMID: 33309040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of ultrasound imaging (USI) as a diagnostic tool to assess muscle function after a spinal cord injury (SCI). Ultrasound videos of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle were recorded both at rest and during attempted maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) for fifteen participants with a SCI and fifteen able-bodied controls. Measurements were repeated at monthly intervals for participants in the SCI group during their inpatient stay. Differences in muscle echogenicity and thickness were detected between both able-bodied and SCI groups and subgroups of SCI participants, suggesting USI can detect and monitor changes in muscle structure which are characteristic of atrophy. Decreased muscle movement in the SCI groups was also detected during attempted MVC. The ability of USI to distinguish between different levels of function demonstrates the potential of USI as a quantitative tool to assess muscles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Miller
- Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom.
| | - Henrik Gollee
- Centre for Rehabilitation Engineering, James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom; Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Mariel Purcell
- Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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A Comparison Study of Conventional Ultrasound and Ultrasound Strain Elastography in the Evaluation of Myopathy. Ultrasound Q 2020; 36:32-37. [PMID: 30855416 DOI: 10.1097/ruq.0000000000000432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare ultrasound strain elastography (USE) with conventional ultrasonography echogenicity (EL) in detecting muscle pathology. For conventional ultrasonography, biceps EL was obtained. For USE, elasticity index (EI) of biceps was represented as a range, from 0 (softest) to 6 (hardest). Muscle-to-fats elasticity ratio compared EI of muscle with that of surrounding fats. Color distribution of elastogram was analyzed using open-source ImageJ software showing % red, % green, and % blue within a region of interest. Increased biceps EL, decreased biceps EI, and elasticity ratio were observed in patients with myopathy. In the color elastogram, there is no significant difference in % green between healthy control and patient, but significance was observed in % red and % blue (P < 0.001). Utilization of USE parameters has increased sensitivity up to 100% compared with 63% with conventional US. It is a promising adjunct for the clinical diagnosis of myopathy.
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33
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Neuromuscular Ultrasound in the Pediatric Population. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10121012. [PMID: 33255940 PMCID: PMC7760629 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10121012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The diagnosis and evaluation of neuromuscular disorders traditionally involves electrodiagnostic (EDx) testing, including nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and electromyography (EMG). These tools can cause pain and discomfort, an important consideration when performed on children. Neuromuscular ultrasound is noninvasive, cost-effective, and increasingly utilized for the detection of neuromuscular pathology. Studies investigating the performance and clinical implementation of ultrasound have primarily been performed in adult populations. Ultrasound in children has the potential to guide EDx testing and ultimately improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy. This review aims to describe key features of neuromuscular ultrasound in the pediatric population based on the available studies, including our own institutional experience.
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Warman-Chardon J, Diaz-Manera J, Tasca G, Straub V. 247th ENMC International Workshop: Muscle magnetic resonance imaging - Implementing muscle MRI as a diagnostic tool for rare genetic myopathy cohorts. Hoofddorp, The Netherlands, September 2019. Neuromuscul Disord 2020; 30:938-947. [PMID: 33004285 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2020.08.360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jodi Warman-Chardon
- Jodi Warman Chardon, Neurology/Genetics, The Ottawa Hospital/Research Institute, Canada; Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario/Research Institute, Canada
| | - Jordi Diaz-Manera
- Neuromuscular Disorders Unit, Neurology department, Hospital Universitari de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Barcelona, Spain; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Giorgio Tasca
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
| | - Volker Straub
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Center, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
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Abstract
Purpose of Review The purpose of this review is to critically discuss the use of ultrasound in the evaluation of muscle disorders with a particular focus on the emerging use in inflammatory myopathies. Recent Findings In myopathies, pathologic muscle shows an increase in echogenicity. Muscle echogenicity can be assessed visually, semi-quantitatively, or quantitatively using grayscale analysis. The involvement of specific muscle groups and the pattern of increase in echogenicity can further point to specific diseases. In pediatric neuromuscular disorders, the value of muscle ultrasound for screening and diagnosis is well-established. It has also been found to be a responsive measure of disease change in muscular dystrophies. In chronic forms of myositis like inclusion body myositis, ultrasound is very suitable for detecting markedly increased echogenicity and atrophy in affected muscles. Acute cases of muscle edema show only a mild increase in echogenicity, which can also reverse with successful treatment. Summary Muscle ultrasound is an important imaging modality that is highly adaptable to study various muscle conditions. Although its diagnostic value for neuromuscular disorders is high, the evidence in myositis has only begun to accrue in earnest. Further systematic studies are needed, especially in its role for detecting muscle edema.
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36
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Mayer KP, Dhar S, Cassity E, Denham A, England J, Morris PE, Dupont-Versteegden EE. Interrater Reliability of Muscle Ultrasonography Image Acquisition by Physical Therapists in Patients Who Have or Who Survived Critical Illness. Phys Ther 2020; 100:1701-1711. [PMID: 32302406 DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzaa068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have demonstrated that muscle ultrasound (US) can be reliably performed at the patient bedside by novice assessors with minimal training. The primary objective of this study was to determine the interrater reliability of muscle US image acquisition by physical therapists and physical therapist students. Secondarily, this study was designed to elucidate the process for training physical therapists to perform peripheral skeletal muscle US. METHODS This was a cross-sectional observational study. Four novices and 1 expert participated in the study. Novice sonographers engaged in a structured training program prior to implementation. US images were obtained on the biceps brachii, quadriceps femoris, and tibialis anterior muscles in 3 groups: patients in the intensive care unit, patients on the hospital ward, and participants in the outpatient gym who were healthy. Reliability of image acquisition was analyzed compared with the expert sonographer. RESULTS Intraclass correlation coefficient values ranged from 0.76 to 0.97 with an average for all raters and all muscles of 0.903, indicating excellent reliability of image acquisition. In general, the experienced physical therapist had higher or similar intraclass correlation coefficient values compared with the physical therapist students in relation to the expert sonographer. CONCLUSIONS Excellent interrater reliability for US was observed regardless of the level of experience, severity of patient illness, or patient setting. These findings indicate that the use of muscle US by physical therapists can accurately capture reliable images in patients with a range of illness severity and different clinical practice settings across the continuum of care. IMPACT Physical therapists can utilize US to obtain images to assess muscle morphology. LAY SUMMARY Physical therapists can use noninvasive US as an imaging tool to assess the size and quality of peripheral skeletal muscle. This study demonstrates that physical therapists can receive training to reliably obtain muscle images in patients admitted to the intensive care unit who may be at risk for muscle wasting and may benefit from early rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirby P Mayer
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky, 900 South Limestone Street, Lexington, KY 40536 USA
| | - Sanjay Dhar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Kentucky
| | - Evan Cassity
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Kentucky
| | - Aaron Denham
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky
| | - Johnny England
- Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky
| | - Peter E Morris
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Kentucky
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Yan D, Li Q, Lin CW, Shieh JY, Weng WC, Tsui PH. Clinical Evaluation of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Severity Using Ultrasound Small-Window Entropy Imaging. ENTROPY 2020; 22:e22070715. [PMID: 33286487 PMCID: PMC7517253 DOI: 10.3390/e22070715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Information entropy of ultrasound imaging recently receives much attention in the diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is the most common muscular disorder; patients lose their ambulation in the later stages of the disease. Ultrasound imaging enables routine examinations and the follow-up of patients with DMD. Conventionally, the probability distribution of the received backscattered echo signals can be described using statistical models for ultrasound parametric imaging to characterize muscle tissue. Small-window entropy imaging is an efficient nonmodel-based approach to analyzing the backscattered statistical properties. This study explored the feasibility of using ultrasound small-window entropy imaging in evaluating the severity of DMD. A total of 85 participants were recruited. For each patient, ultrasound scans of the gastrocnemius were performed to acquire raw image data for B-mode and small-window entropy imaging, which were compared with clinical diagnoses of DMD by using the receiver operating characteristic curve. The results indicated that entropy imaging can visualize changes in the information uncertainty of ultrasound backscattered signals. The median with interquartile range (IQR) of the entropy value was 4.99 (IQR: 4.98–5.00) for the control group, 5.04 (IQR: 5.01–5.05) for stage 1 patients, 5.07 (IQR: 5.06–5.07) for stage 2 patients, and 5.07 (IQR: 5.06–5.07) for stage 3 patients. The diagnostic accuracies were 89.41%, 87.06%, and 72.94% for ≥stage 1, ≥stage 2, and ≥stage 3, respectively. Comparisons with previous studies revealed that the small-window entropy imaging technique exhibits higher diagnostic performance than conventional methods. Its further development is recommended for potential use in clinical evaluations and the follow-up of patients with DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yan
- School of Microelectronics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (D.Y.); (Q.L.)
| | - Qiang Li
- School of Microelectronics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; (D.Y.); (Q.L.)
| | - Chia-Wei Lin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu 30059, Taiwan;
| | - Jeng-Yi Shieh
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei 100229, Taiwan;
| | - Wen-Chin Weng
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100233, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, National Taiwan University Children’s Hospital, Taipei 100226, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (W.-C.W.); (P.-H.T.)
| | - Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Medical Imaging Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan 33305, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (W.-C.W.); (P.-H.T.)
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38
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Naeve I, Mommens M, Arukwe A, Virtanen J, Hoque ME, Kjørsvik E. Ultrasound as a noninvasive tool for monitoring reproductive physiology in male Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Physiol Rep 2020; 7:e14167. [PMID: 31286664 PMCID: PMC6640606 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We examined the potential for ultrasound as a noninvasive tool for maturation monitoring in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) males. Ultrasound examination and measurements were compared to common practices for maturation monitoring such as gonadosomatic index (GSI), sex hormone analysis, and histological analysis of spermatogenesis. There were significant correlations (R2 = 0.68, P < 0.01) between ultrasound‐based measurements of the left testis and total testes weight and GSI, and ultrasound could be used for noninvasive GSI measurements. Echogenicity of ultrasound images corresponded to the histological stages observed, which added nuance to ultrasound‐based GSI measurements during final weeks preceding stripping. We propose that ultrasound can be used as an alternative to more invasive methods for sexual maturation monitoring in wild and farmed Atlantic salmon males. Using ultrasound technology, we have established a quick and noninvasive method that could reduce the number of stressful handlings and unwanted sacrifice of broodfish required for maturation monitoring in Atlantic salmon males.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jonni Virtanen
- Department of Biology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.,Clewer Aquaculture Oy, Turku, Finland
| | - Md Enamul Hoque
- Department of Biology, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway.,Department of Oceanography, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh
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Goselink RJ, Schreuder TH, Mul K, Voermans NC, Erasmus CE, van Engelen BG, van Alfen N. Muscle ultrasound is a responsive biomarker in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy. Neurology 2020; 94:e1488-e1494. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000009211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveWith drug trials starting soon, responsive, relevant, and patient-friendly biomarkers are highly needed in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD). Our objective was to assess muscle ultrasound (MUS) as an imaging biomarker in patients with FSHD.MethodsOne-year observational, longitudinal study of both quantitative and qualitative MUS changes in FSHD.ResultsTwenty-two patients with symptomatic FSHD1 underwent a clinical examination and MUS at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. The qualitative MUS sum score increased from 18.59 to 20.32 (p = 0.005) and the quantitative MUS sum z scores increased from 19.96 to 24.72 (p = 0.003). The clinical scores did not change over 1 year. Muscle echogenicity correlated with the FSHD clinical score at baseline (r = 0.61, p = 0.002).ConclusionsMUS shows a significant increase in echogenicity in FSHD over 1 year. Both quantitative and qualitative MUS correlate cross-sectionally with clinical severity in FSHD and identify structural muscle changes in a clinically stable group of patients. MUS thus seems a potentially responsive biomarker that could be standardized between centers. We recommend its use in therapeutic trials.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class I evidence that in patents with FSHD1, MUS findings correlate with baseline FSHD clinical scores.
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40
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Abraham A, Drory VE, Fainmesser Y, Algom AA, Lovblom LE, Bril V. Muscle thickness measured by ultrasound is reduced in neuromuscular disorders and correlates with clinical and electrophysiological findings. Muscle Nerve 2019; 60:687-692. [PMID: 31478199 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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 (r 2 = 0.62), electrophysiological findings (r 2 : 0.44-0.55), and disability score (r 2 = 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alon Abraham
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Vivian E Drory
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yaara Fainmesser
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Avi A Algom
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Leif E Lovblom
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Sinai Health System, and Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Vera Bril
- 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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41
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Behr M, Noseworthy M, Kumbhare D. Feasibility of a Support Vector Machine Classifier for Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Diagnostic Case-Control Study. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2019; 38:2119-2132. [PMID: 30614553 DOI: 10.1002/jum.14909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is the most common cause of chronic pain worldwide. The diagnosis of MPS is subjective, which has created a need for a robust quantitative method of diagnosing MPS. We propose that using a support vector machine (SVM) along with ultrasound (US) texture features can differentiate between healthy and MPS-affected skeletal muscle. METHODS B-mode US video data were collected in the upper trapezius muscle of healthy (29) participants and patients with active (21) and latent (19) MPS, using an acquisition method outlined in previous works. Regions of interest were extracted and filtered to obtain a unique set of 917 images where texture features were extracted from each region of interest to characterize each image. These texture features were then used to train 4 separate binary SVM classifiers using nested cross-validation to implement feature selection and hyperparameter tuning. The performance of each kernel was estimated on the data and validated through testing on a final holdout set. RESULTS The radial basis function kernel classifier had the greatest Matthews correlation coefficient performance estimate of 0.627 ± 0.073 (mean ± SD) along with the largest area under the curve of 91.0% ± 3.0%. The final holdout test for the radial basis function classifier resulted in 86.96 accuracy, a Matthews correlation coefficient of 0.724, 88% sensitivity, and 86% specificity, validating our earlier performance estimates. CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated that specific US texture features that have been used in other computer-aided diagnostic literature are feasible to use for the classification of healthy and MPS muscle using a binary SVM classifier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Behr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Noseworthy
- McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Radiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Imaging Research Center, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dinesh Kumbhare
- Department of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- McMaster School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Imaging Research Center, St Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Chiou HJ, Yeh CK, Hwang HE, Liao YY. Efficacy of Quantitative Muscle Ultrasound Using Texture-Feature Parametric Imaging in Detecting Pompe Disease in Children. ENTROPY 2019; 21:e21070714. [PMID: 33267428 PMCID: PMC7515229 DOI: 10.3390/e21070714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pompe disease is a hereditary neuromuscular disorder attributed to acid α-glucosidase deficiency, and accurately identifying this disease is essential. Our aim was to discriminate normal muscles from neuropathic muscles in children affected by Pompe disease using a texture-feature parametric imaging method that simultaneously considers microstructure and macrostructure. The study included 22 children aged 0.02-54 months with Pompe disease and six healthy children aged 2-12 months with normal muscles. For each subject, transverse ultrasound images of the bilateral rectus femoris and sartorius muscles were obtained. Gray-level co-occurrence matrix-based Haralick's features were used for constructing parametric images and identifying neuropathic muscles: autocorrelation (AUT), contrast, energy (ENE), entropy (ENT), maximum probability (MAXP), variance (VAR), and cluster prominence (CPR). Stepwise regression was used in feature selection. The Fisher linear discriminant analysis was used for combination of the selected features to distinguish between normal and pathological muscles. The VAR and CPR were the optimal feature set for classifying normal and pathological rectus femoris muscles, whereas the ENE, VAR, and CPR were the optimal feature set for distinguishing between normal and pathological sartorius muscles. The two feature sets were combined to discriminate between children with and without neuropathic muscles affected by Pompe disease, achieving an accuracy of 94.6%, a specificity of 100%, a sensitivity of 93.2%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.98 ± 0.02. The CPR for the rectus femoris muscles and the AUT, ENT, MAXP, and VAR for the sartorius muscles exhibited statistically significant differences in distinguishing between the infantile-onset Pompe disease and late-onset Pompe disease groups (p < 0.05). Texture-feature parametric imaging can be used to quantify and map tissue structures in skeletal muscles and distinguish between pathological and normal muscles in children or newborns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Jen Chiou
- Division of Ultrasound and Breast Imaging, Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan
- National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11490, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Kuang Yeh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Hsuen-En Hwang
- Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Yin-Yin Liao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hungkuang University, Taichung 43302, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-4-26318652
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Abstract
Advances in high-resolution ultrasound have provided clinicians with unique opportunities to study diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Ultrasound complements the clinical and electrophysiology exam by showing the degree of abnormalities in myopathies, as well as spontaneous muscle activities in motor neuron diseases and other disorders. In experienced hands, ultrasound is more sensitive than MRI in detecting peripheral nerve pathologies. It can also guide needle placement for electromyography exam, therapeutic injections, and muscle biopsy. Ultrasound enhances the ability to detect carpal tunnel syndrome and other focal nerve entrapment, as well as pathological nerve enlargements in genetic and acquired neuropathies. Furthermore, ultrasound can potentially be used as a biomarker for muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. The combination of electromyography and ultrasound can increase the diagnostic certainty of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, aid in the localization of brachial plexus or peripheral nerve trauma and allow for surveillance of nerve tumor progression in neurofibromatosis. Potential limitations of ultrasound include an inability to image deeper structures, with lower sensitivities in detecting neuromuscular diseases in young children and those with mitochondrial myopathies, due to subtle changes or early phase of the disease. As well, its utility in detecting critical illness neuromyopathy remains unclear. This review will focus on the clinical applications of neuromuscular ultrasound. The diagnostic values of ultrasound for screening of myopathies, neuropathies, and motor neuron diseases will be presented.
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Miller S, Carstens A. Ultrasonographic findings post laryngoplasty in the horse. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2019; 60:707-716. [PMID: 31313431 DOI: 10.1111/vru.12788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Laryngoplasty is commonly used to treat laryngeal hemiplegia in Thoroughbred racehorses. Evaluation of the success of the laryngoplasty is traditionally determined using endoscopy. Laryngeal ultrasonography and normal ultrasonographic appearance have been reported in the standing horse, but post-laryngoplasty and ventriculectomy ultrasonographic evaluation has limited literature coverage. A prospective case series of 10 Thoroughbred racehorses with left laryngeal hemiplegia was examined ultrasonographically and endoscopically prior to 3-10 days, 30-50 days, and 6-12 months after laryngoplasty and ventriculectomy. Anatomical structures and Plica vocalis movements were described and measurements and gradings analyzed by repeated means analysis of variance (P < .05). Postsurgical ultrasonographic visualization of Ventriculus laryngis entrances was possible. The distance between Plica vocalis in exhalation was significantly larger than that during inhalation (P < .05). Pre- and postsurgical caudal Basihyoideum and rostral Cartilago thyroidea depth was significantly different in some instances (P < .05). No significant differences in the Muscularis cricoarytenoideus lateralis measurements were found. Complications in the extra-luminal structures were found in seven horses including soft tissue swelling, seroma, and hematoma. A luminal Plica vocalis abscess and Plica vocalis granuloma were also detected ultrasonographically. Ultrasonography can be used to evaluate the post-laryngoplasty horse for assessing the success of the procedure, monitoring healing, and detecting complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Miller
- Section Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ann Carstens
- Section Diagnostic Imaging, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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45
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Gonzalez NL, Hobson-Webb LD. Neuromuscular ultrasound in clinical practice: A review. Clin Neurophysiol Pract 2019; 4:148-163. [PMID: 31886438 PMCID: PMC6921231 DOI: 10.1016/j.cnp.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuromuscular ultrasound (NMUS) is becoming a standard element in the evaluation of peripheral nerve and muscle disease. When obtained simultaneously to electrodiagnostic studies, it provides dynamic, structural information that can refine a diagnosis or identify a structural etiology. NMUS can improve patient care for those with mononeuropathies, polyneuropathy, motor neuron disease and muscle disorders. In this article, we present a practical guide to the basics of NMUS and its clinical application. Basic ultrasound physics, scanning techniques and clinical applications are reviewed, along with current challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia L. Gonzalez
- Department of Neurology/Neuromuscular Division, Duke University Hospital, DUMC 3403, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Van de Waarsenburg MK, Withagen MIJ, van den Noort F, Schagen van Leeuwen JH, van der Vaart CH. Echogenicity of puborectalis muscle, cervix and vastus lateralis muscle in pregnancy in relation to mode of delivery. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2019; 54:119-123. [PMID: 30461093 DOI: 10.1002/uog.20178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To confirm our previous observation that levator hiatal dimensions and mean echogenicity of the puborectalis muscle (MEP) are significantly different at 12 weeks' gestation in women who delivered by Cesarean section due to failure to progress compared with those who delivered vaginally. The secondary objective was to assess the association between the echogenicity of the cervix and vastus lateralis muscle and mode of delivery. METHODS In this prospective multicenter study, 306 nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy underwent ultrasound assessments of the pelvic floor at rest, on maximum pelvic floor muscle contraction and on maximum Valsalva maneuver, of the cervix and of the vastus lateralis muscle at 12 weeks' gestation. Dimensions of the levator hiatus, MEP and mean echogenicity of the cervix and vastus lateralis muscle were measured and compared according to mode of delivery. RESULTS Two hundred and forty-nine women were included in the analyses. We were unable to confirm our previous finding that MEP and levator hiatal transverse diameter and area at 12 weeks' gestation are associated significantly with mode of delivery. In addition, we could not demonstrate a significant association between echogenicity of the cervix or vastus lateralis muscle and mode of delivery. Overall, MEP was a mean of 20 points lower in women in the new database as compared with the previous study, despite the use of the same ultrasound equipment. CONCLUSION In a second, independent multicenter dataset, we were unable to confirm our previous finding that levator hiatal dimensions and MEP on pelvic floor muscle contraction are associated significantly with mode of delivery. We also found no association between echogenicity of the cervix or vastus lateralis and mode of delivery. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- M K Van de Waarsenburg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M I J Withagen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - F van den Noort
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Robotics and Mechatronics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical Medical Centre, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - J H Schagen van Leeuwen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sint Antonius Hospital Nieuwegein, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
| | - C H van der Vaart
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Neuromuscular ultrasound is a rapidly evolving technique for diagnosing, monitoring and facilitating treatment of patients with muscle and nerve disorders. It is a portable point-of-care technology that is non-invasive, painless and without ionizing radiation. Ultrasound can visualize muscle texture alterations indicating dystrophy or denervation, changes in size and anatomic continuity of nerve fascicles, and its dynamic imaging capabilities allow capturing of contractions and fasciculations. Ultrasound can also provide real-time guidance for needle placement, and can sometimes make a diagnosis when electromyography is not tolerated or not informative anymore. This review will focus on the technical and practical aspects of ultrasound as an imaging technique for muscles and nerves. It will discuss basic imaging principles, hardware and software setup, and provide examples of ultrasound use for visualizing muscle and nerve abnormalities with accuracy and confidence. The review is intended as a practical "how-to" guide to get started with neuromuscular ultrasound in daily practice.
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Orsso CE, Tibaes JRB, Oliveira CLP, Rubin DA, Field CJ, Heymsfield SB, Prado CM, Haqq AM. Low muscle mass and strength in pediatrics patients: Why should we care? Clin Nutr 2019; 38:2002-2015. [PMID: 31031136 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Skeletal muscle plays major roles in metabolism and overall health across the lifecycle. Emerging evidence indicates that prenatal (maternal diet during pregnancy and genetic defects) and postnatal factors (physical activity, hormones, dietary protein, and obesity) influence muscle mass acquisition and strength early in life. As a consequence, low muscle mass and strength contributes to several adverse health outcomes during childhood. Specifically, studies demonstrated inverse associations of muscle mass and strength to single and clustered metabolic risk factors. The literature also consistently reports that low muscle mass and strength are associated with reduced bone parameters during growth, increasing the risk of osteoporosis in old age. Furthermore, muscle mass gains are associated with improved neurodevelopment in the first years of life. Given these negative implications of low muscle mass and strength on health, it is crucial to track muscle mass and strength development from childhood to adolescence. Several body composition techniques are currently available for estimation of muscle mass, all with unique advantages and disadvantages. The value of ultrasound as a technique to measure muscle mass is emerging in pediatric research with potential for translating the research findings to clinical settings. For the assessment of muscle strength, the handgrip strength test has been widely employed but without a standardized protocol. Although further research is needed to define normative data and cut points for the low muscle mass and strength phenotype, the use of such non-invasive medical monitoring is a promising strategy to identify early abnormalities and prevent low muscle mass in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila E Orsso
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jenneffer R B Tibaes
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Food Science, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Camila L P Oliveira
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Daniela A Rubin
- Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Catherine J Field
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Carla M Prado
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Andrea M Haqq
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Weng WC, Lin CW, Shen HC, Chang CC, Tsui PH. Instantaneous frequency as a new approach for evaluating the clinical severity of Duchenne muscular dystrophy through ultrasound imaging. ULTRASONICS 2019; 94:235-241. [PMID: 30287072 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) results in loss of ambulation for the patients. Ultrasound attenuation correlates with fat content in muscles, resulting in changes in signal frequency. The Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) allows time-frequency analysis with high time-frequency resolution. This study explored the feasibility of using the instantaneous frequency (IF) obtained from the HHT to diagnose the walking function of patients with DMD. Eighty-five participants (12 control and 73 patients with DMD) underwent a standard-care ultrasound examination of the gastrocnemius to acquire raw image data for ultrasound B-mode and IF calculations, which were compared with the DMD stage using Pearson correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. With increasing DMD stage, the median IF decreased from 7.25 to 7.01 MHz (the correlation coefficient r = -0.73; the probability value p < 0.0001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.97 when using ultrasound IF to discriminate between ambulatory and nonambulatory patients (accuracy: 91.76%; sensitivity: 93.75%; and specificity: 90.57%). The study reveals that ultrasound IF has great potential in DMD evaluation and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chin Weng
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pediatric Neurology, National Taiwan University Children's Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Lin
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chung Shen
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Cheng Chang
- Institute of Applied Mechanics, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Po-Hsiang Tsui
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Medical Imaging Research Center, Institute for Radiological Research, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Medical Imaging and Intervention, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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Burlina P, Joshi N, Billings S, Wang IJ, Albayda J. Deep embeddings for novelty detection in myopathy. Comput Biol Med 2019; 105:46-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2018.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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