Utility of non-invasive imaging techniques in diagnosis and management of neuromuscular disorders​​​​​​​

Neuromuscular disorders have seen a major shift toward non-invasive imaging to support diagnosis and longitudinal care. Historically, evaluation relied heavily on invasive muscle and nerve biopsies and, in some settings, computed tomography (CT), which carries radiation exposure and offers limited soft-tissue contrast. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a key modality because it provides excellent soft-tissue resolution, multiplanar capability, and high sensitivity for detecting patterns of muscle and nerve involvement. However, unequal access to MRI—driven by cost, infrastructure, and availability—limits its use in many regions. In parallel, neuromuscular ultrasound has expanded as a portable, lower-cost tool that can be deployed at the bedside and in resource-limited settings, although it remains operator-dependent and requires dedicated training.This Research Topic highlights recent advances in non-invasive imaging for neuromuscular disorders, with a focus on translational applications that connect disease mechanisms to clinically meaningful measures. We aim to clarify how quantitative MRI approaches and modern ultrasound techniques can support diagnosis, patient stratification, prognostication, and monitoring of treatment response. This is increasingly relevant as disease-modifying therapies become available for rare and ultra-rare conditions such as Pompe disease and muscular dystrophies, creating a need for sensitive, reproducible biomarkers and outcome measures. We particularly welcome work that supports biomarker development and validation—linking imaging findings to genotype, pathology, electrophysiology, functional measures, and clinical outcomes—and that demonstrates readiness for clinical implementation or use in clinical trials.We welcome submissions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Quantitative MRI techniques for assessing muscle and peripheral nerve involvement- Neuromuscular ultrasound: technical advances, protocols, training, and standardization- Imaging biomarkers and validation against genotype, pathology, electrophysiology, functional scales, and outcomes- Comparative studies of MRI, ultrasound, and other non-invasive modalities in neuromuscular diseases- Imaging endpoints for disease monitoring and treatment-response assessment in clinical trials- Implementation challenges, including reproducibility, multi-center harmonization, and access in resource-limited settings- Case series and technology-focused studies (e.g., automation/AI-assisted quantification) with clear clinical or translational relevance Topic editors: Veeramani Preethish-Kumar, Karthik Kulanthaivelu, Kiran Polavarapu, Atchayaram Nalini, Seena Vengalil Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78489/utility-of-non-invasive-imaging-techniques-in-diagnosis-and-management-of-neuromuscular-disorders