The imageological advances in Hirayama disease / 复旦学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

Hirayama disease is benign and self-limited,characterized by atrophy of unilateral upper extremity.Misdiagnosis was common due to the restriction of diagnostic techniques in the past.In recent years,Hirayama disease is familiar to us because of the rapid development of electromyography and imageological examinations.X-ray and CT scan play an important role in evaluations on cervical curvature,segmental stability,degeneration of facet joints and posterior longitudinal ligament.Loss of attachment in neutral cervical MRI and anterior shift of dura mater in flexion cervical MRI are the most important signs.This review summarizes the imageological examinations and characteristic signs of Hirayama disease in detail,together with a brief introduction to clinical manifestations and electromyography features.