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A Novel Application of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging
Published on: September 17, 2013
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Application of the novel estimation method by shear wave elastography using vibrator to human skeletal muscle
Wakako Tsuchida1, Yoshiki Yamakoshi2, Shingo Matsuo3
1Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Health and Medical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 2217-14 Hayashi-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa, 761-0395, Japan. w-tsuchida@aist.go.jp.
Scientific Reports
|December 18, 2020
Summary
A new vibration-based shear wave elastography method accurately measures skeletal muscle stiffness. This technique demonstrates good reproducibility and reliability, offering a potentially valuable tool for clinical applications in rehabilitation and orthopedics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Musculoskeletal Research
Background:
- Ultrasound elastography is a non-invasive technique for measuring tissue stiffness, with applications in rehabilitation, sports, and orthopedics.
- Current ultrasound diagnostic devices with elastography are expensive, limiting clinical accessibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and validate a novel, cost-effective estimation method for vibration-based shear wave elastography of human skeletal muscle.
- To assess the reproducibility and reliability of this new method.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel estimation method for vibration-based shear wave elastography.
- Measured shear wave velocities in konjac and agar phantom gels, and human skeletal muscle.
- Evaluated reproducibility and reliability using coefficient of variation and correlation coefficient, assessing intra-day, day-to-day, and inter-operator variations.
Main Results:
- The novel method demonstrated good intra-day, day-to-day, and inter-operator reliability in phantom gels.
- Good intra-day and day-to-day reliability was observed when measuring skeletal muscle.
- Findings confirmed adequate reproducibility and reliability of the proposed elastography method.
Conclusions:
- The proposed vibration-based shear wave elastography method is reproducible and reliable for measuring skeletal muscle stiffness.
- This technique offers a potentially useful and more accessible tool for evaluating muscle stiffness in clinical settings.
