Quantitative MRI methods such as T2 relaxation time measurements, muscle fat quantification using the 3-point Dixon technique, magnetic resonance spectroscopy and perfusion imaging might be helpful to further analyse the degree of pathological changes in the striated muscles [32–34]. In particular blood flow measurements in the striated muscle based on either dynamic contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI, arterial spin labelling or blood oxygen-dependent MRI can be helpful to distinguish between inflammatory (increase of microvascular perfusion) and degenerative/dystrophic changes [4, 35]. However, there have been only a limited number of studies with low numbers of included subjects available up to now. Therefore, these techniques remain experimental for this purpose and should not be considered a standard imaging tool in the clinical routine setting.