Increased fascial thickness of the deltoid muscle in dermatomyositis and polymyositis: An ultrasound study. Issue 4 (20th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bhansing, Kavish J.; Van Rosmalen, Marieke H.; Van Engelen, Baziel G.; Vonk, Madelon C.; Van Riel, Piet L.; Pillen, Sigrid
• Is Part Of: Muscle & nerve. Volume 52:Issue 4(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 534
• Page End: 539
• Publication Date: 2015-08-20
• Subjects: Neuromuscular diseases -- Periodicals; Muscles -- Periodicals; Nerves -- Periodicals; 616.74
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.24595
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-639X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="mus24595-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <p> <italic>Introduction:</italic> 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). <italic>Methods:</italic> Fascial thickness of 7 DM and 5 PM patients was compared with that of healthy controls (<italic>n</italic> = 54). <italic>Results:</italic> The deltoid fascial thickness was 2‐fold greater in the DM/PM group (1.15 mm vs. 0.54 mm; <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001) compared with healthy controls. Eight patients had markedly thickened deltoid fascia (&gt;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. <italic>Conclusions:</italic> 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. <italic>Muscle Nerve</italic>, 2015 <italic>Muscle Nerve</italic> 52: 534–539, 2015</p> </sec> </abstract>