Neuromuscular diseases: imaging of thoracic, digestive and urinary complications

• Published in: Journal de radiologie Vol. 91; no. 12 Pt 2; p. 1419
• Main Authors: Mompoint, D, Carlier, R Y, Orlikowski, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01-12-2010
• Subjects: Adult; Digestive System Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Digestive System Diseases - etiology; Female; Humans; Neuromuscular Diseases - complications; Respiration Disorders - diagnostic imaging; Respiration Disorders - etiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Urologic Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Urologic Diseases - etiology
• ISSN: 1773-0384
• DOI: 10.1016/S0221-0363(10)70221-3

Neuromuscular diseases have different characteristics. Respiratory and cardiovascular manifestations are frequent and severe. Respiratory difficulties secondary to muscle involvement and bronchial secretions worsen complications related to a frequent scoliosis. CT is a useful complement to standard radiographs in the setting of acute symptomatic deterioration and for presurgical evaluation of a scoliosis. Echocardiography is performed to determine the presence of cardiomyopathy. Gastrointestinal motility disorders are assessed with standard barium studies or CT in the acute setting. Urinary tract involvement also is possible in these patients given the increased survival and follow-up imaging may be helpful for palliative management. The imaging features of frequent manifestations will be discussed along with the imaging appearance of a few specific entities.