title: Ultrasound in the inflammatory myopathies.
abstract: Dermato- or polymyositis must be diagnosed or ruled out early because early immunosuppressive therapy prevents irreversible muscle degeneration. Acute poly- and dermatomyositis are accompanied by normal or increased size, low echogenicity, and elevated perfusion of affected muscles, whereas in chronic poly- and dermatomyositis, the size and perfusion of affected muscles are reduced and echogenicity is increased. Although magnetic resonance imaging is more sensitive in detecting edema-like muscular changes and thereby acute myositis, contrast-enhanced ultrasound with its capability of measuring perfusion has become a useful diagnostic tool in diagnosing acute inflammation in poly- and dermatomyositis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Marc-André
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009220:Myositis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography