Muscle ultrasonography: A diagnostic tool for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

• Published in: Clinical neurophysiology Vol. 123; no. 8; pp. 1662 - 1667
• Main Authors: Arts, Ilse M.P, Overeem, Sebastiaan, Pillen, Sigrid, Kleine, Bert U, Boekestein, Werner A, Zwarts, Machiel J, Jurgen Schelhaas, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.08.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - diagnosis; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - diagnostic imaging; Biological and medical sciences; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording; Electromyography; Fasciculation - diagnosis; Fasciculation - diagnostic imaging; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Motor Neuron Disease - diagnosis; Motor Neuron Disease - diagnostic imaging; Motor Neurons - physiology; Muscle ultrasound; Muscle, Skeletal - diagnostic imaging; Nervous system; Neurologic Examination; Neurology; Prospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Single-Blind Method; STARD; Ultrasonography; fasc; HSP; PMA; cerebral vasc; polyneuropathy; fasciculations; benign cramp fasciculation syndrome; progressive muscular atrophy; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Muscle ultrasound; STARD; mononeuropathia multiplex; primary lateral sclerosis; PSP; MNM; probable laboratory supported ALS; benign cramp fasc; PNP; prob. lab. sup; hereditary spastic paresis; PLS; Diagnosis; cerebral vascular lesions; progressive supranuclear palsy; Ability; Human; Nervous system diseases; Echo; Fasciculation; Motor neuron disease; Electrophysiology; Motor neuron; Prospective; Electrodiagnosis; Sensitivity; Specificity; Central nervous system disease; Degenerative disease; Electromyography; Muscle; Spinal cord disease; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 1388-2457; 1872-8952
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2011.11.262

Highlights ► Muscle ultrasound can differentiate between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and mimics with high sensitivity and specificity. ► Ultrasound is a sensitive tool to screen for regional lower motor neuron involvement. ► Ultrasound might reduce the number of muscles that require needle examination in the search for LMN involvement.