Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 18, 2025
Magnetic Resonance Elastography Methodology for the Evaluation of Tissue Engineered Construct Growth
Published on: February 9, 2012
Stiffness of the Masseter Muscle in Children-Establishing the Reference Values in the Pediatric Population Using
Cyprian Olchowy1, Anna Olchowy2, Aleksander Pawluś3
1Department of Oral Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-425 Wroclaw, Poland.
Insights
This study measured masseter muscle stiffness in healthy children using shear-wave elastography. Girls showed significantly stiffer muscles than boys, indicating potential sex-based differences in jaw muscle development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric dentistry
- Biomedical engineering
- Musculoskeletal research
Background:
- Altered muscle quality and function in children are linked to temporomandibular disorders.
- Current methods for evaluating muscle tonus lack a gold standard.
- Masseter muscle characteristics in children remain understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure the stiffness of the masseter muscle in healthy children using shear-wave elastography.
- To establish baseline stiffness values for pediatric masseter muscles.
- To investigate potential differences in stiffness between sexes and sides.
Main Methods:
- Shear-wave elastography was employed to assess masseter muscle stiffness.
- Thirty healthy children (mean age 10.87 years) participated in the study.
- Stiffness was measured in kilopascals (kPa).
Main Results:
- The overall mean stiffness of the masseter muscles was 6.37 ± 0.77 kPa.
- No significant difference in stiffness was found between the right and left masseter muscles (p = 0.3546).
- A significant difference was observed between sexes, with girls exhibiting higher stiffness (6.63 ± 0.80 kPa) than boys (5.94 ± 0.50 kPa; p = 0.0006).
Conclusions:
- Shear-wave elastography is a promising tool for assessing pediatric masseter muscle stiffness.
- Findings highlight potential sex-based differences in jaw muscle properties.
- Further research should explore stiffness in pathological conditions and influencing factors.
Abstract:
In children, the quality and muscle function are altered in many pathologic conditions, including temporomandibular disorders. Although several methods have been used to evaluate muscle tonus, none became a golden standard. Moreover, the masseter muscle characteristics in children have not been investigated to date. This study aimed to measure the stiffness of the masseter muscle using shear-wave elastography in healthy children. We enrolled 30 healthy children (mean age 10.87 ± 3.38 years). The stiffness of masseter muscles was measured with shear wave elastography. Stiffness for the total sample was 6.37 ± 0.77 kPa. A comparison of the measurements did not show significant differences between the right and the left masseter muscles (left-6.47 ± 0.78 kPa; right-6.24 ± 0.76 kPa; p = 0.3546). A significant difference was seen between boys and girls (boys-5.94 ± 0.50 kPa; girls-6.63 ± 0.80; p = 0.0006). Shear-wave elastography is a promising diagnostic tool. It may help to detect changes in the stiffness of the masseter muscle and draw attention to pathological processes within the jaw muscles. Directions for further research shall include determining stiffness values in pathological conditions and the impact of biological and functional factors on the stiffness of the masseter muscle.
More Related Videos
07:09In situ Compressive Loading and Correlative Noninvasive Imaging of the Bone-periodontal Ligament-tooth Fibrous Joint
Published on: March 7, 2014
05:56Implementation of Non-invasive Point of Care Transient Elastography for Evaluation of Liver Disease in Pediatric Populations with Cystic Fibrosis
Published on: August 29, 2025
