Italian researchers have compared the respective qualities of quantitative ultrasound and nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI) in the context of the imaging evaluation of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy :
- thirteen patients were included in the study,
- in addition to clinical data, the primary endpoint was the quantitative ultrasonic score (QMUS) applied to six muscles in particular (pectoralis, deltoid, rectus femoris, tibialis anterior and semimembranosus),
- QMUS data were compared with healthy subjects data and muscle MRI data,
- QMUS is a good reflection of muscle damage, with clear hyperechogenicity in affected muscles.
Quantitative muscle ultrasonography is less demanding than MRI in terms of time and cost, while providing just as much information.
