Compositional analysis of muscle in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy using MR imaging.

摘要: Boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) present by age 5 years weakness and, untreated, stop walking unaided 10 or 11 years. We used magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to study age-related changes in the composition and distribution of diseased muscles. Eleven boys (mean 7.1±1.6 years) DMD underwent clinical MR examinations. Quantitative muscle strength timed functional testing was performed. Thigh muscles were scanned at three levels (hip, mid-thigh, knee) using T1-weighted spin echo short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences. Outcome measures included intramuscular fatty infiltration, intermuscle fat deposition, edema, size. Ten completed study. Older demonstrated more prominent infiltration Fatty occurred a characteristic pattern gluteus adductor magnus most commonly involved gracilis spared. Similarly, patchy increases free water content suggested edema inflammation. Atrophy heavily infiltrated fat, true hypertrophy selectively those that While fibrofatty have been described DMD, this further defines differential involvement additionally suggests widespread Improved techniques quantify degree these may provide basis for exploring mechanisms action medications perhaps another means selecting treatment regimens monitoring their effects.