Neves JS, et al. – The usefulness of ultrasonography (US) was explored as a monitoring tool in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). With the aid of US, a mixture of muscle edema and atrophy was detected depending on disease activity and duration. Moreover, US findings appeared to correlate well with disease activity and probably a useful tool to complement patient evaluation.

Methods

• The study evaluated IIM patients diagnosed and followed up from 2005 to 2015.
• This study enrolled 15 patients with a mean age of 52.2 ± 22.09 years and mean disease duration of 4.6 ± 3.20 years. 
• For each patient at a scheduled visit, physical examination including muscle strength tests, laboratorial analysis and a selective muscle US assessment were performed.

Results

• 9 out of 15 patients were in clinical remission and US assessment revealed a preserved muscle pattern.
• On US, symmetrical proximal muscle atrophy was found in one patient with longstanding polymyositis (PM) with proximal weakness.
•  Inflammation and focal or generalized muscle edema were present on US in the remaining 5 patients with muscular weakness suggesting active disease. 
• One of these patients in acute flare presented with atrophy changes in addition to edema.
•  In one patient early untreated myositis was found with moderate power Doppler (PD) signal.