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A quantitative evaluation of sciatic nerve stiffness after compression by shear wave elastography in diabetic rats
Diancheng Li1, Jiaan Zhu1, Fang Liu1
1Department of Ultrasound, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
Annals of Translational Medicine
|July 4, 2020
Summary
Shear wave elastography (SWE) can quantitatively assess diabetic nerve entrapment severity in rats. Increased nerve stiffness detected by SWE correlates with longer compression duration and nerve damage, suggesting SWE as a valuable diagnostic tool.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Neurology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication.
- Nerve entrapment exacerbates diabetic neuropathy.
- Noninvasive quantitative evaluation methods are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using shear wave elastography (SWE) for quantitative evaluation of nerve entrapment in a diabetic rat model.
- To correlate SWE findings with nerve function and histology.
Main Methods:
- A diabetic nerve compression (DNC) model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats using streptozotocin (STZ).
- Sciatic nerve stiffness was measured using SWE at 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-compression.
- Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and sciatic nerve histology were assessed.
Main Results:
- Nerve stiffness measured by SWE significantly increased with the duration of nerve compression (P<0.01).
- Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) significantly decreased with compression duration (P<0.05).
- SWE-measured nerve stiffness showed a strong negative correlation with MNCV (r=-0.926; P<0.01), and histological analysis revealed progressive nerve damage.
Conclusions:
- Increased SWE values correlate with the duration and severity of nerve entrapment in diabetic rats.
- SWE offers a noninvasive and effective method for quantitative assessment of diabetic nerve entrapment.
- SWE may aid in monitoring disease progression and treatment efficacy.
