Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Published on: March 4, 2014
Quantitative MRI Analysis of Brachial Plexus and Limb-Girdle Muscles in Upper Extremity Onset Amyotrophic Lateral
Weiqiang Liang1, Yang Liu2, Yali Zhao1
1Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Background:
Recent evidence highlights the potential of axonal degeneration as a biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) detection. However, the diagnostic potential of peripheral nerve axon changes in ALS remains unclear.
Purpose:
To evaluate the diagnostic performance of quantitative MRI of the brachial plexus and limb-girdle muscles (LGMs) in patients with upper extremity onset of ALS.
Study Type:
Retrospective.
Population:
47 patients with upper extremity onset of ALS and 20 healthy volunteers.
Field Strength/Sequence:
3-T, three-dimensional sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolutions with short-tau inversion recovery sequences, T2-weighted turbo spin-echo Dixon sequence.
Assessment:
The cross-sectional area (CSA) and nerve-muscle T2 signal intensity ratio (nT2) of the bilateral brachial plexus as well as the CSA and fat fraction (FF) of the bilateral LGMs were assessed by two radiologists. Disease severity and clinical stage of ALS patients were assessed by two neurologists.
Statistical Tests:
Student's t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, binary logistic regression, interclass correlation coefficient, receiver operating characteristic analysis, and correlation analysis were performed for MRI quantitative metrics and clinical variables. Significance level: P < 0.05.
Results:
In the affected limbs of patients with ALS, the CSA of the brachial plexus roots, trunks, and cords and the nT2 values of the brachial plexus trunks were significantly smaller than in the healthy controls. In the LGMs, the affected limbs of ALS showed significantly smaller CSA and higher FF than controls. The model containing parameters such as brachial plexus trunk CSA, subscapularis CSA, infraspinatus CSA, and subscapularis FF had excellent diagnostic efficacy for ALS. Additionally, increased subscapularis FF and supraspinatus FF were correlated with disease severity, and subscapularis CSA was negatively correlated with the clinical stage.
Data Conclusion:
Brachial plexus thinning, LGM atrophy, and fatty infiltration might serve as MRI-derived biomarkers for ALS with upper extremity onset.
Level Of Evidence:
4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.
More Related Videos
06:35In Vivo Electrophysiological Measurement of Compound Muscle Action Potential from the Forelimbs in Mouse Models of Motor Neuron Degeneration
Published on: June 15, 2018
09:14Surface Electromyographic Biofeedback as a Rehabilitation Tool for Patients with Global Brachial Plexus Injury Receiving Bionic Reconstruction
Published on: September 28, 2019
