title: Increased fascial thickness of the deltoid muscle in dermatomyositis and polymyositis: An ultrasound study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We investigated the use of ultrasound to detect fascial thickening of the deltoid, vastus lateralis (VL), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles in dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fascial thickness of 7 DM and 5 PM patients was compared with that of healthy controls (n = 54).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The deltoid fascial thickness was 2-fold greater in the DM/PM group (1.15 mm vs. 0.54 mm; P < 0.001) compared with healthy controls. Eight patients had markedly thickened deltoid fascia (>5 SD). Only 1 patient with a mild clinical presentation had normal deltoid fascial thickness. Four patients also had fascial thickening of the VL and/or RF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Deltoid fascial thickness was increased significantly in DM and PM patients, whereas the quadriceps muscle only showed thickened fascia in severely affected patients. This study suggests that a concomitant fasciitis may be present more often than previously believed.
authors: Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Kavish J
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4266-000X
authors: KJ
authors: Bhansing
authors: Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Marieke H
authors: MH
authors: Van Rosmalen
authors: Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Baziel G
authors: BG
authors: Van Engelen
authors: Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Madelon C
authors: MC
authors: Vonk
authors: Scientific Institute for Quality of Health Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors: Piet L
authors: PL
authors: Van Riel
authors: Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Sigrid
authors: S
authors: Pillen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D057645:Deltoid Muscle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017285:Polymyositis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: fascia; fasciitis; inflammatory myopathy; myositis; ultrasound