In the past, MRI has often been assigned a subsidiary role in the diagnostic work-up of muscular diseases owing to the frequent inability of routine MRI protocols to detect pathognomonic findings. This situation is changing with the advent of modern MR imaging techniques that offer deeper insights into various surrogate pathophysiologic parameters. In this book, recognized experts from around the world provide a comprehensive overview of the value of cutting-edge MRI for the assessment of normal and diseased skeletal muscle. A range of aspects are covered, from the general role of MRI in imaging the skeletal musculature, including in comparison with ultrasonography, through to the current value of MRI in the diagnostic work-up of different diseases. In addition, several chapters present research findings in respect of modern morphological and functional MRI techniques and provide examples of the added value provided by these techniques when evaluating muscular diseases.

Part 1: Role of MRI in imaging the skeletal musculature: Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Skeletal Musculature from a clinical point of view.- Correlation of skeletal muscle anatomical to MRI and US findings.- Imaging the skeletal muscle when to use MRI and when to use ultrasound.- Part 2: Modern MRI techniques for assessment of the skeletal musculature: Whole-body MRI for evaluation of the entire skeletal system.- Diffusion-weighted and diffusion-tensor imaging: Applications in skeletal muscles.- Assessment of skeletal muscle perfusion using MRI (DCE, ASL, BOLD).- Skeletal muscle MR imaging beyond protons.- MR spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging for evaluation of skeletal muscle metabolism: Basics and applications in metabolic myopathies.- Part 3: MRI in the diagnostic work-up of the skeletal musculature: MRI of muscle injuries, such as muscle strains.- MRI in neurogenic myopathies and muscle denervation.- MRI in muscle dystrophies and other myogenic myopathies.- MRI in inflammatory myopathies and autoimmune-mediated myositis.- MRI in muscular channelopathies and myotonias.- MRI in muscle tumours and tumours of the muscle sheaths.