The potential role of advanced MRI techniques such as perfusion-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging and MR spectroscopy is currently unknown. It can be suggested that some of these techniques can further increase the sensitivity in the detection of subtle changes in the striated muscle and contribute to a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanism [32–35]. It is of great interest whether these imaging techniques will show additional diagnostic and prognostic value. High-field MRI is increasingly being used in the clinical setting [71, 72]. Due to a substantial increase in the signal-to-noise ratio, in vivo imaging at higher magnetic field allows faster image acquisition and higher spatial resolutions. The first whole-body high-field muscle MRI protocols have been recently described [27, 51, 67]. Future studies have to investigate whether structural and quantitative (perfusion MRI, MR spectroscopy) high-field MRI protocols do have added value in the diagnosis of hereditary, metabolic or inflammatory muscle disease.