Muscle ultrasound quantifies segmental neuromuscular outcome in pediatric myelomeningocele

Abstract

In pediatric spina bifida aperta (SBA), non-invasive assessment of neuromuscular integrity by muscle ultrasound density (MUD) could provide important information about the clinical condition. We therefore aimed to determine the association between pediatric SBA MUD and segmental neurologic function. We included 23 children (age range: 1-18 y) with SBA with L4-5 lesions, and we associated SBA MUD with control values and segmental neuromuscular function. Results revealed that MUD outcomes in the lower extremities: (i) are independent of age, (ii) exceed control values, (iii) differ intra-individually (i.e., between the left and right sides in the same individual) in association with segmental neuromuscular function. We concluded that SBA leg MUD can quantify the segmental neuromuscular condition throughout childhood.

Keywords: Children; Motor and sensory function; Muscle ultrasound; Myelomeningocele; Neuromuscular condition; Outcome; Spina bifida; Treatment.