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Muscle ultrasound quantifies segmental neuromuscular outcome in pediatric myelomeningocele
Renate J Verbeek1, Eelco W Hoving, Natalia M Maurits
1Department of Neurology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Muscle ultrasound density (MUD) in children with spina bifida aperta (SBA) can assess neuromuscular function. This non-invasive method reveals differences in leg MUD related to neurological function, aiding childhood assessment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Medical imaging
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Spina bifida aperta (SBA) is a congenital condition affecting spinal cord development.
- Non-invasive assessment of neuromuscular integrity is crucial for managing pediatric SBA.
- Muscle ultrasound density (MUD) offers a potential method for evaluating muscle health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between MUD in pediatric SBA patients and their segmental neurologic function.
- To establish MUD as a reliable biomarker for neuromuscular status in children with SBA.
Main Methods:
- Included 23 pediatric patients (age 1-18 years) with SBA and L4-5 spinal lesions.
- Measured MUD in lower extremities and compared with control values.
- Correlated MUD findings with segmental neuromuscular function assessments.
Main Results:
- MUD in pediatric SBA patients' lower extremities was independent of age.
- MUD values in SBA patients exceeded those of controls.
- Significant intra-individual differences in MUD were observed, correlating with segmental neuromuscular function.
Conclusions:
- Leg MUD is a valid non-invasive tool for quantifying neuromuscular condition in pediatric SBA throughout childhood.
- MUD can detect subtle differences in neuromuscular function between the left and right sides in SBA patients.
- This method provides valuable insights into the clinical condition of children with SBA.
Abstract:
In pediatric spina bifida aperta (SBA), non-invasive assessment of neuromuscular integrity by muscle ultrasound density (MUD) could provide important information about the clinical condition. We therefore aimed to determine the association between pediatric SBA MUD and segmental neurologic function. We included 23 children (age range: 1-18 y) with SBA with L4-5 lesions, and we associated SBA MUD with control values and segmental neuromuscular function. Results revealed that MUD outcomes in the lower extremities: (i) are independent of age, (ii) exceed control values, (iii) differ intra-individually (i.e., between the left and right sides in the same individual) in association with segmental neuromuscular function. We concluded that SBA leg MUD can quantify the segmental neuromuscular condition throughout childhood.
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