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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
09:57
Obtaining Quality Extended Field-of-View Ultrasound Images of Skeletal Muscle to Measure Muscle Fascicle Length
Published on: December 14, 2020
Imaging of skeletal muscle
1Department of Radiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Dartmouth Medical School, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA. douglas.goodwin@hitchcock.org
Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America
|March 30, 2011
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers sensitive, noninvasive evaluation of skeletal muscle disorders and injuries. This technique aids in assessing disease extent, guiding treatment, and monitoring therapy response.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
Background:
- Noninvasive diagnostic imaging is crucial for evaluating skeletal muscle injury and disease.
- Several modalities exist, including sonography, CT, scintigraphy, radiography, and MRI.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates particular sensitivity for muscle disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the principles of magnetic resonance image formation.
- To explain the diagnostic utility of T1- and T2-weighted signal intensities in musculoskeletal conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of magnetic resonance imaging principles.
- Analysis of T1- and T2-weighted image characteristics in skeletal muscle pathology.
Main Results:
- MRI is highly sensitive for diagnosing muscle injuries and diseases.
- MRI effectively determines the extent of muscle disease.
- MRI assists in directing therapeutic interventions and monitoring treatment efficacy.
Conclusions:
- Magnetic resonance imaging is a valuable tool for noninvasive assessment of skeletal muscle conditions.
- Understanding MRI signal intensities is key to accurate diagnosis and management.
- MRI plays a significant role in the comprehensive care of patients with muscle disorders.
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