Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the diagnostic role of muscle ultrasound compared to nerve conduction studies in critical illness neuromyopathy (CINM). Subjects and Methods: 20 patients with SOFA score > 3 points were included in a prospective, randomized study done in the critical care department and subjected to muscle ultrasound on day 7 and 14 and nerve conduction studies (NCS) on day 14, also 20 healthy controls were examined by muscle ultrasound on days 7 and 14. Results: Muscle echogenicity and fasciculation were significantly higher on day 14 than day 7. They were negatively correlated with NCS. By ROC curve, the muscle echogenicity on day 14 was the best diagnostic tool for neuromyopathy in critical ill patients. The sensitivity & specificity of muscle echogenicity and fasciculation on day 14 were 94.1% and 100% as well as 88.4% and 100%, respectively. On day 7, the sensitivity and specificity of muscle echogenicity were 94.1% and 66.7%, respectively. Conclusion: The muscle echogenicity and fasciculation were non-invasive good tools in the evaluation of neuromyopathy in critical ill patients in comparison with NCS.