Abstract
Introduction Calf hypertrophy is a common feature in Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), and it is still debated to which extent fatty degeneration or true muscle hypertrophy account for it. We wanted to investigate the relative contribution of these two components using a simple image analysis approach and their possible correlation with disease severity.
Methods Twenty-nine BMD patients' MRI scans were analyzed. A semiquantitative visual score assessing fatty replacement of calf muscles (calf MRI score, CMS) was calculated and correlated with the cross sectional area (CSA) of lower leg posterior compartment muscles, digitally measured on acquired images.
Results The correlation between CSA and CMS was not significant. CMS in contrast correlated with disease severity (p <0.001) while CSA did not (p = 0.969).
Conclusions In BMD, a major contribution to calf hypertrophy is provided by real muscle hypertrophy rather than by fatty degeneration. CMS appears to be a potential surrogate marker of disease severity.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 301-304 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Journal of the Neurological Sciences |
Volume | 347 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 15 2014 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Neurology
- Medicine(all)