COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC STUDY OF THE SKELETAL MUSCULATURE OF THE LOWER-BODY IN 45 POSTPOLIO PATIENTS

Muscle computed tomography (CT) and muscle strength assessment of the pelvic girdle and leg muscles were performed in 32 postpolio patients experiencing new muscle weakness, and in 13 postpolio patients with st able neuromuscular condition. Muscles of the postpolio patients experi encing new muscle weakness showed significantly more CT scan abnormali ties as compared with the stable postpolio patients. No other features discriminative of symptomatic postpolio patients were found. In indiv idual patients, muscle CT scan evaluation is a useful adjunct to muscl e strength assessment. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.