MR imaging of inherited myopathies: a review and proposal of imaging algorithms

Abstract

Purpose of review: The aims of this review are to discuss the imaging modalities used to assess muscle changes in myopathies, to provide an overview of the inherited myopathies focusing on their patterns of muscle involvement in magnetic resonance imaging (MR), and to propose up-to-date imaging-based diagnostic algorithms that can help in the diagnostic workup.

Conclusion: Familiarization with the most common and specific patterns of muscular involvement in inherited myopathies is very important for radiologists and neurologists, as imaging plays a significant role in diagnosis and follow-up of these patients.

Key points: • Imaging is an increasingly important tool for diagnosis and follow-up in the setting of inherited myopathies. • Knowledge of the most common imaging patterns of muscle involvement in inherited myopathies is valuable for both radiologists and neurologists. • In this review, we present imaging-based algorithms that can help in the diagnostic workup of myopathies.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Muscular diseases; Muscular dystrophies; Myopathies; Whole-body imaging.