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ABSTRACT: Background
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an inherited recessive X chromosome-linked disease, is the most severe childhood form of muscular dystrophy. Boys with DMD experience muscle loss, with infiltration of intramuscular fat into muscles.Objectives
This case series describes the progression of DMD in boys using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Magnetic resonance results are then compared with an established functional timed test.Methods
Four boys with DMD and 4 healthy age-matched controls were chosen from a larger cohort. Boys with DMD were assessed at 4 time points over 2 years, with controls assessed at baseline only. Progression of the disease was documented by assessing the plantar flexors using MRI and MRS techniques and by assessing ambulation using the 30-Foot Fast Walk Test.Results
Transverse relaxation time (T2) values were elevated in all boys with DMD at baseline. The lipid ratio increased rapidly as the disease progressed in 2 boys. Discrete changes in T2 in the other 2 boys with DMD indicated a slower disease progression. Magnetic resonance imaging and MRS allowed monitoring of the disease over all time periods regardless of ambulation status.Limitations
The magnetic resonance data were collected with 2 different magnets at 2 different field strengths (1.5 and 3.0 T). Although we corrected for this difference, care must be taken in interpreting data when different image collection systems are used. This was a case series of 4 boys with DMD taken from a larger cohort study.Conclusions
Magnetic resonance imaging and MRS are objective, noninvasive techniques for measuring muscle pathology and can be used to detect discrete changes in both people who are ambulatory and those who are nonambulatory. These techniques should be considered when monitoring DMD progression and assessing efficacy of therapeutic interventions.
SUBMITTER: Senesac CR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4498145 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Physical therapy 20150115 7
<h4>Background</h4>Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an inherited recessive X chromosome-linked disease, is the most severe childhood form of muscular dystrophy. Boys with DMD experience muscle loss, with infiltration of intramuscular fat into muscles.<h4>Objectives</h4>This case series describes the progression of DMD in boys using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Magnetic resonance results are then compared with an established functional timed test.< ...[more]