title: Muscle changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a longitudinal ultrasonography study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ilse M P
authors.initials: IMP
authors.lastname: Arts
authors.affiliation: Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sebastiaan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Overeem
authors.affiliation: Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sigrid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pillen
authors.affiliation: 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.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jurgen Schelhaas
authors.affiliation: Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Machiel J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zwarts
mesh_terms: 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