The role of imaging in evaluating patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

Abstract

Objectives: To describe imaging modalities for diagnosing and monitoring of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Methods: A detailed literature search summarising recent data documenting the contribution of different imaging techniques to current management of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies was performed.

Results: An overview of methods most frequently used for evaluation of inflammatory myopathies and the description of their role in the diagnostic and monitoring process is presented.

Conclusions: MRI is currently the most useful method capable of demonstrating both inflammatory and post-inflammatory changes in the muscles and surrounding soft tissue. Several studies have documented potential usefulness of other imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography, positron emission tomography, scintigraphy, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.