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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2020; 24(04): 402-412
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1712955
Review Article

Quantitative Imaging in Muscle Diseases with Focus on Non-proton MRI and Other Advanced MRI Techniques

Marc-André Weber 
1   Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
,
Armin M. Nagel 
2   Institute of Radiology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
3   Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
,
Hermien E. Kan 
4   C.J. Gorter Center for High Field MRI, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
5   Duchenne Center, The Netherlands
,
Mike P. Wattjes 
6   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Abstract

The role of neuromuscular imaging in the diagnosis of inherited and acquired muscle diseases has gained clinical relevance. In particular, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), especially whole-body applications, is increasingly being used for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. In addition, they are considered as a powerful outcome measure in clinical trials. Because many muscle diseases have a distinct muscle involvement pattern, whole-body imaging can be of diagnostic value by identifying this pattern and thus narrowing the differential diagnosis and supporting the clinical diagnosis. In addition, more advanced MRI applications including non-proton MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, perfusion MRI, T2 mapping, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy provide deeper insights into muscle pathophysiology beyond the mere detection of fatty degeneration and/or muscle edema. In this review article, we present and discuss recent data on these quantitative MRI techniques in muscle diseases, with a particular focus on non-proton imaging techniques.

Keywords

MR imaging - muscle - myopathies - pattern recognition - non-proton imaging


Publication History

Article published online:
29 September 2020

© 2020. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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