P-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy of skeletal muscle in the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome: a preliminary study.

Abstract

To determine the pathogenesis of muscular symptomatology in the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS). P31-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was performed on 7 patients with EMS and 10 age matched controls to determine the relative concentrations of phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in calf muscle. Patients with EMS had statistically lower ATP/PCr ratios and higher Pi/ATP ratios than controls, indicating a preferential and unique decrease in ATP levels at rest in skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is metabolically abnormal in patients with EMS. This abnormality may contribute to the myalgia, spasm, and weakness seen in this disorder.