Muscle changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a longitudinal ultrasonography study.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a longitudinal study to assess structural muscle changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using ultrasonography.


METHODS
During a follow-up of 6 months, ultrasonography parameters (muscle thickness, echo intensity and fasciculations) were obtained from 6 muscle groups in 31 ALS patients, together with strength and scores on the revised ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-r).


RESULTS
At baseline, we found an increased echo intensity and decreased thickness, and these parameters correlated with lower strength. Moreover, ultrasound abnormalities were also detected in muscles with preserved strength. Longitudinal changes in echo intensity, muscle thickness and fasciculations showed large variations between patients. Rates of change in ultrasound parameters did not correlate with changes in ALSFRS-r or strength.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with ALS ultrasound abnormalities can be found in muscles with preserved strength. The pattern of ultrasonographic muscle changes in ALS is highly variable and shows no evident correlation with functional measures.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasonography is not suitable to monitor disease progression in ALS.
Arts
Ilse M P
IMP
Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Overeem
Sebastiaan
S
Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Pillen
Sigrid
S
Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Jurgen Schelhaas
H
H
Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: HJ.Schelhaas@neuro.umcn.nl.
Zwarts
Machiel J
MJ
Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography