Comparative study of peripheral nerve Mri and ultrasound in multifocal motor neuropathy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Jongbloed, BA, Haakma, Wieke, Goedee, H. Stephan, Bos, Jeroen W., Bos, Clemens, Hendrikse, Jeroen, Van Den Berg, Leonard H., Van Der Pol, W. Ludo
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.25391
Muscle & Nerve 54 (6), p. 1133-1135
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Differentiating multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is important, as MMN is a difficult, but treatable disorder.
METHODS: We studied peripheral nerve imaging techniques in differentiating MMN from ALS by measuring the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median and ulnar nerves in the forearms using high resolution ultrasound (HRUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
RESULTS: HRUS CSA values of the median nerve in the forearm (P =0.002) and the ulnar nerve distal to the sulcus (P =0.009) were significantly enlarged in patients with MMN. There was a positive correlation between CSA as measured with HRUS and MRI (Spearman rho 0.60, P<0.001).
CONCLUSION: Peripheral nerve imaging is a potentially powerful technique to distinguish MMN from ALS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.