SEGMENTAL ELECTRICAL BIOIMPEDANCE MYOGRAPHY IN NORMALS AND IN PATIENTS WITH NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASES: A CASE SERIES

Background: Bioimpedance myography is a useful nontraumatic, simple technique that assists in determining muscle mass and is increasingly used to assess muscle atrophy and disease progression. Studies indicate the results are reproducible and show strong correlation with DEXA scans and muscle ultrasound. This technique employs high-frequency, low-intensity electrical stimulation to measure the reactance and resistance of tissue, thereby determining muscle mass. Methods: We conducted tests on forty-one normal subjects as well as patients with various neuromuscular diseases. Results: Our study established normal values with variability less than 0.5%, providing examples of several disorders where decreased muscle mass was apparent in patients experiencing atrophy and weakness across different regions of the body. In conclusion, bioimpedance myography is a reliable, non-invasive method for assessing muscle mass, showing strong correlation with DEXA scans. It effectively identifies reduced muscle mass in neuromuscular diseases, aiding clinical evaluations and progression monitoring.