title: Quantitative muscle ultrasonography in the follow-up of juvenile dermatomyositis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
authors.affiliation: Childhood Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: G Esther A
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Habers
authors.affiliation: Childhood Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Brussel
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kavish J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Bhansing
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Esther P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Hoppenreijs
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Pediatric Physical Therapy, Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anjo J W M
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Royen-Kerkhof
authors.affiliation: Childhood Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Sigrid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pillen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003402:Creatine Kinase
keywords: echo intensity; follow-up; juvenile dermatomyositis; muscle thickness; quantitative muscle ultrasonography