[Sonographic detection of fasciculations].

Fasciculations are an important neurological sign of spinal muscular atrophies. 26 patients able to walk suffering from adult onset spinal muscular atrophies were examined by real time sonography. On an average 18 limb and extremity muscles on both sides were examined. In 21 cases fasciculations became sonographically apparent as muscular twitchings lasting for 0.2 to 0.5 seconds. Detection of fasciculations in profound muscular layers and in obese patients was easier by sonography than by clinical examination.