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Updated: Oct 2, 2025
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Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Skeletal Muscle Disease
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Muscle Sonography in Inclusion Body Myositis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 944 Measurements
Ramy Abdelnaby1, Khaled Ashraf Mohamed2, Anas Elgenidy2
1Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwels Street 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
Cells
|February 25, 2022
Summary
Muscle ultrasound (US) shows significant differences in echogenicity for inclusion body myositis (IBM) patients compared to healthy individuals. This imaging technique demonstrates potential for diagnosing IBM, a rare muscle disease.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
- Diagnostic Biomarkers
Background:
- Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is a progressive neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness.
- Current diagnostic criteria rely on clinical and histopathological findings.
- Imaging biomarkers, including muscle ultrasound, are underutilized and lack standardized protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the diagnostic utility of muscle ultrasound (US) for inclusion body myositis (IBM).
- To compare US findings in IBM patients against healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science.
- Included studies published up to September 11, 2021, reporting muscle US in IBM.
- Meta-analysis synthesized data from 7 studies involving 108 IBM patients and 171 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in echogenicity (grey scale value) were observed in the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and gastrocnemius (GC) muscles of IBM patients.
- Pooled sensitivity and specificity for US in differentiating IBM were 82% and 98%, respectively.
- No significant difference in FDP muscle thickness was found between groups.
Conclusions:
- Muscle ultrasound reveals distinct echogenicity patterns in key muscles of IBM patients.
- US demonstrates high specificity and moderate sensitivity for IBM diagnosis.
- Standardized protocols and further high-quality research are necessary to integrate muscle US into routine diagnostic criteria for inclusion body myositis.
