The goal of this study is to learn if Multispectral Optoacoustic Tomographs (MSOT) works to diagnose and follow the course of neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) in children. MSOT scans will be obtained from muscle region to measure hemo/myoglobin, collagen and lipid content/signal and oxygenation in patients with neuromuscular diseases. No additional research activities -other than MSOT - will be done during this study. Existing clinical, laboratory and imaging data from standard-of-care procedures will be correlated with the MSOT data. The expected total duration of the study is approximately 36 months. Repeated measurements will be done to evaluate disease progression and the value of MSOT in NMD.
Children (from birth (infants that are born term) to 18 years of age) participants or consent through authorized guardian
Confirmed or suspected diagnosis of a neuromuscular disease (through molecular genetics, biopsy, clinical examination)
Diagnosis is not consistent with a confirmed or suspected neuromuscular disease
Patients with active skin lesions (e.g. infections, trauma) or confirmed genetic disorders (e.g. epidermolysis bullosa) that predisposes to skin lesion
Medically unstable patients
Tattoo on skin overlying the area to be examined