Normal values for quantitative muscle ultrasonography in adults

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Musculoskeletal Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Ultrasonography is valuable for detecting muscle abnormalities in neuromuscular diseases.
• Quantitative ultrasound analysis requires comprehensive normative data, which is currently lacking.
• Establishing normal ultrasound parameters is essential for accurate clinical diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative muscle ultrasonography data for muscle thickness and echo intensity.
• To investigate age and gender-specific variations in muscle characteristics.
• To provide reference values for five key muscle groups in adults.

Main Methods:

• Bilateral ultrasound scans were performed on 95 healthy adult volunteers (aged 17-90 years).
• Measurements included muscle thickness and echo intensity for sternocleidomastoid, biceps brachii/brachialis, forearm flexors, quadriceps femoris, and tibialis anterior.
• Data were analyzed for gender, age, and side-to-side differences.

Main Results:

• Significant gender differences were observed in both muscle thickness and echo intensity.
• A non-linear correlation between age and muscle characteristics was found, varying by muscle group.
• Right-left differences in muscle characteristics were noted in the upper extremities.

Conclusions:

• Age and gender significantly influence muscle thickness and echo intensity, with muscle-specific patterns.
• The generated normative data are essential for the clinical interpretation of muscle ultrasound findings.
• This study provides a valuable resource for diagnosing and monitoring neuromuscular conditions using ultrasound.