Diagnostic Accuracy of Whole Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Inflammatory Myopathies

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a great concern in acquired muscle illnesses. An appropriate and rapid diagnosis is necessary, because morbidity and mortality are high and a specific treatment is needed. Currently the use of muscle MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) in departments managing IIM is common. In absence of recommendations fixing their place in the diagnostic phase, the practices observed are extremely heterogeneous. This practices diversity well reflects the lack of data in the literature, making it impossible to appreciate the real contribution of this test. The main aim of this interventional study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of muscle MRI (in terms of sensitivity, specificity, predictive positive value and predictive negative value) for patients who are suspected to suffer from IIM.