Elastic modulus of muscle and tendon with shear wave ultrasound elastography: variations with different technical settings

PLoS One. 2012;7(8):e44348. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044348. Epub 2012 Aug 31.

Abstract

Standardization on Shear wave ultrasound elastography (SWUE) technical settings will not only ensure that the results are accurate, but also detect any differences over time that may be attributed to true physiological changes. The present study evaluated the variations of elastic modulus of muscle and tendon using SWUE when different technical aspects were altered. The results of this study indicated that variations of elastic modulus of muscle and tendon were found when different transducer's pressure and region of interest (ROI)'s size were applied. No significant differences in elastic modulus of the rectus femoris muscle and patellar tendon were found with different acquisition times of the SWUE sonogram. The SWUE on the muscle and tendon should be performed with the lightest transducer's pressure, a shorter acquisition time for the SWUE sonogram, while measuring the mean elastic modulus regardless the ROI's size.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Elastic Modulus / physiology*
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patella / diagnostic imaging
  • Patella / physiology
  • Quadriceps Muscle / diagnostic imaging*
  • Quadriceps Muscle / physiology*
  • Tendons / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tendons / physiology*
  • Transducers, Pressure
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

Funding of the project was supported by Dr and Mrs Lui Che Woo Special Centre for the Knee, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.