Juvenile dermatomyositis

How is juvenile dermatomyositis diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for juvenile dermatomyositis may include:

• laboratory tests, used to assess the presence of antibodies, muscle enzymes and indicators of inflammation in the blood
• electromyography (EMG), an electrical test to determine nerve or muscle damage
• muscle biopsy, the removal of a small piece of muscle for microscopic examination
• x-rays, a diagnostic test that uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones and organs onto film
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body