The Role of Muscle Thickness and Echogenicity in the Diagnosis of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Objectives: This study aims to find the thickness of muscles of lower limbs in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) along with echogenicity and applying these two findings in the diagnosis of the disease. Methods: This is a case-control study conducted in the clinical neurophysiology unit in Merjan medical city. It includes 73 patients diagnosed to have DPN based on characteristic history and physical examination and documented by nerve conduction study. These patients are matched to 73 control that has matched age and sex to the patient group. Patient and control are examined by high-resolution ultrasound (12 MHz linear probes). We assess muscle thickness and echogenicity of the tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and abductor halluces brevis. Results: The study showed that there was a statistically significant decrease in muscle thickness and increase in echogenicity in all tested muscles when compared to the control group. Also, we calculated the cut-off value with sensitivity and specificity of muscle thickness in the diagnosis of DPN. Conclusion: Muscle ultrasound is a useful complementary test for the diagnosis of DPN.