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ULTRASOUND IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: A REVIEW.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hobson-Webb, LD; Simmons, Z
Published in: Muscle Nerve
August 2019

Neuromuscular ultrasound is complementary to electrodiagnostic (EDx) testing and is useful in enhancing the diagnosis of mononeuropathies, peripheral nerve trauma, and demyelinating polyneuropathies. There is increasing interest in using ultrasound both to aid in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and to monitor its progression. In this article we review the relevant literature on ultrasound in ALS. Ultrasound is more sensitive than EDx in identifying fasciculations in patients with ALS. It can detect decreased muscle thickness, increased muscle echointensity and echovariance, and reduced peripheral nerve size in these patients. Ultrasound is also a helpful tool in assessment of diaphragm function. Although additional studies are required to define the exact role of ultrasound in the evaluation and monitoring of ALS, it can improve the diagnostic yield in patients when ALS is suspected, but insufficiently supported, by clinical and EDx examinations. Muscle Nerve 60: 114-123, 2019.

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Published In

Muscle Nerve

DOI

EISSN

1097-4598

Publication Date

August 2019

Volume

60

Issue

2

Start / End Page

114 / 123

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ultrasonography
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Peripheral Nerves
  • Organ Size
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Humans
  • Fasciculation
  • Disease Progression
  • Diaphragm
 

Citation

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Hobson-Webb, L. D., & Simmons, Z. (2019). ULTRASOUND IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: A REVIEW. Muscle Nerve, 60(2), 114–123. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26487
Hobson-Webb, Lisa D., and Zachary Simmons. “ULTRASOUND IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: A REVIEW.Muscle Nerve 60, no. 2 (August 2019): 114–23. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26487.
Hobson-Webb LD, Simmons Z. ULTRASOUND IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: A REVIEW. Muscle Nerve. 2019 Aug;60(2):114–23.
Hobson-Webb, Lisa D., and Zachary Simmons. “ULTRASOUND IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: A REVIEW.Muscle Nerve, vol. 60, no. 2, Aug. 2019, pp. 114–23. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/mus.26487.
Hobson-Webb LD, Simmons Z. ULTRASOUND IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND MONITORING OF AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS: A REVIEW. Muscle Nerve. 2019 Aug;60(2):114–123.
Journal cover image

Published In

Muscle Nerve

DOI

EISSN

1097-4598

Publication Date

August 2019

Volume

60

Issue

2

Start / End Page

114 / 123

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ultrasonography
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Peripheral Nerves
  • Organ Size
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Humans
  • Fasciculation
  • Disease Progression
  • Diaphragm