Abstract
Respiratory muscle weakness is common in neuromuscular disorders and leads to significant respiratory difficulties. Therefore, reliable and easy assessment of respiratory muscle structure and function in neuromuscular disorders is crucial. In the last decade, ultrasound and MRI emerged as promising imaging techniques to assess respiratory muscle structure and function. Respiratory muscle imaging directly measures the respiratory muscles and, in contrast to pulmonary function testing, is independent of patient effort. This makes respiratory muscle imaging suitable to use as tool in clinical respiratory management and as outcome parameter in upcoming drug trials for neuromuscular disorders, particularly in children. In this narrative review, we discuss the latest studies and technological developments in imaging of the respiratory muscles by US and MR, and its clinical application and limitations. We aim to increase understanding of respiratory muscle imaging and facilitate its use as outcome measure in daily practice and clinical trials.
Footnotes
This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in theEuropean Respiratory Journal. It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of theERJonline. Please open or download the PDF to view this article.
Conflict of interest: Dr. van Doorn has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Pennati has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Hansen has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. van Engelen has nothing to disclose.
利益冲突:Aliverti博士无关disclose.
Conflict of interest: Dr. Doorduin has nothing to disclose.
- ReceivedJanuary 15, 2021.
- AcceptedMarch 26, 2021.
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