Juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (JIIM) are rare autoimmune disorders primarily affecting muscle and skin, with potential systemic involvement. Earlier, muscle biopsy and electromyography played an important role in the diagnosis of JIIM, in view of their invasive nature, and now, with the widespread availability of imaging, their role has decreased. This review highlights the increasingly important role of imaging, especially MRI, in the diagnosis, subsequent management, and follow-up of JIIM. Ultrasound is an emerging technique in this context, which can enhance the diagnostic accuracy and accessibility, particularly in resource-limited settings. Imaging is also crucial in detecting complications such as calcinosis and interstitial lung disease.
Agarwal et al. (2026) studied this question.