Muscle abnormalities in scleroderma

Weakness and fatigue are common symptoms in patients with scleroderma and may be due at least in part to underlying abnormalities of muscle. Various modalities, including electromyography, histologic examination of biopsy specimens, MR imaging, and MR spectroscopy are useful in defining muscle abnormalities in these patients. Recent studies using P-31 MR spectroscopy and near infrared spectroscopy demonstrate the presence of underlying metabolic abnormalities that may contribute to the clinical findings of weakness and fatigue.