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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Polymyositis and dermatomyositis MRI

Introduction

Overview

Overview

MRI from muscles may be helpful in the diagnosis of polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Findings on MRI suggestive of polymyositis and dermatomyositis include areas of high signal intensity reflecting an active disease and muscle edema, fatty infiltration of muscles, and muscle calcification.

MRI

MRI

  • MRI from muscles may be helpful in the diagnosis of polymyositis and dermatomyositis.[1][2][3][4][5]
  • MRI is required for follow-up, and to identify the best site for muscle biopsy.
  • Findings on MRI suggestive of polymyositis and dermatomyositis include:
    • Areas of high signal intensity reflecting an active disease and muscle edema
    • Fatty infiltration of muscles
    • Muscle calcification
MRI (sagittal STIR) of the cervical spine demonstrates diffuse hyperintensity of the paravertebral muscles. Case courtesy of Dr Daniela Seixas, Radiopaedia.org_Radiology_Case_|_Radiopaedia.org-6|[6]
References

References

  1. ↑ Khan, Sabiha; Christopher-Stine, Lisa (2011). “Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, and Autoimmune Necrotizing Myopathy: Clinical Features”. Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America. 37 (2): 143–158. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2011.01.001. ISSN 0889-857X.
  2. ↑ Dobloug, Cecilie; Garen, Torhild; Bitter, Helle; Stjärne, Johan; Stenseth, Guri; Grøvle, Lars; Sem, Marthe; Gran, Jan Tore; Molberg, Øyvind (2015). “Prevalence and clinical characteristics of adult polymyositis and dermatomyositis; data from a large and unselected Norwegian cohort”. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 74 (8): 1551–1556. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-205127. ISSN 0003-4967.
  3. ↑ Chinoy, H.; Fertig, N.; Oddis, C. V; Ollier, W. E R; Cooper, R. G (2007). “The diagnostic utility of myositis autoantibody testing for predicting the risk of cancer-associated myositis”. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 66 (10): 1345–1349. doi:10.1136/ard.2006.068502. ISSN 0003-4967.
  4. ↑ Dalakas, Marinos C; Hohlfeld, Reinhard (2003). “Polymyositis and dermatomyositis”. The Lancet. 362 (9388): 971–982. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14368-1. ISSN 0140-6736.
  5. ↑ Douglas, William W.; Tazelaar, Henry D.; Hartman, Thomas E.; Hartman, Robert P.; Decker, Paul A.; Schroeder, Darrell R.; Ryu, Jay H. (2001). “Polymyositis–Dermatomyositis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease”. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 164 (7): 1182–1185. doi:10.1164/ajrccm.164.7.2103110. ISSN 1073-449X.
  6. _Radiology_Case_|_Radiopaedia.org_6-0|↑ “Polymyositis | Radiology Case | Radiopaedia.org”.

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sadaf Sharfaei M.D.[2]