Quantitative muscle ultrasonography in the follow‐up of juvenile dermatomyositis |
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| Authors: | G Esther A Habers MSc Marco Van Brussel PhD Kavish J Bhansing MD Esther P Hoppenreijs MD Anjo JWM Janssen PhD PPT Annet Van Royen‐Kerkhof PhD MD Sigrid Pillen PhD MD |
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| Institution: | 1. Childhood Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands;2. Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, the Netherlands;3. Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, the Netherlands;4. Department of Rehabilitation, Pediatric Physical Therapy, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, the Netherlands;5. Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | Introduction: We explored the use of quantitative muscle ultrasonography (QMUS) for follow‐up of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). Methods: Seven JDM patients were evaluated at diagnosis and 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months using the Childhood Myositis Assessment Scale (CMAS) and QMUS. Muscle thickness (MT) and quantitative muscle echo intensity (EI) were assessed with QMUS in 4 muscles. Results: Six patients experienced a monocyclic course. At diagnosis EI was slightly increased, and MT was relatively normal. After start of treatment MT first decreased and EI increased, with normalization of EI within 6–12 months (n = 4). One patient had higher EIs at diagnosis and slower normalization, indicating fibrosis, despite early normalization of CMAS. One patient experienced a chronic course, with high EIs and atrophy during follow‐up. Conclusions: QMUS can provide additional information for follow‐up of JDM regarding disease severity and residual muscle damage, particularly after normalization of CMAS. Muscle Nerve 52: 540–546, 2015 |
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| Keywords: | echo intensity follow‐up juvenile dermatomyositis muscle thickness quantitative muscle ultrasonography |
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