Shear Wave Elastography of the Achilles Tendon in Primary Hyperparathyroidism: An Observational Prospective Study

This study aimed to assess the thickness and stiffness of the Achilles tendon in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and compare these findings with those of healthy individuals.

Bilateral Achilles tendons of 28 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and 28 healthy controls were evaluated using ultrasound (US) and shear wave elastography (SWE). Tendon thickness was measured with gray-scale US, while stiffness was assessed using SWE, expressed as shear wave velocity (SWV) in meters per second. US and SWE findings were statistically compared between the two groups.

The mean Achilles tendon thickness in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (right Achilles: 5.07 ± 0.84 mm, left Achilles: 5.16 ± 0.79 mm) did not differ significantly from that in healthy controls (right Achilles: 5.01 ± 0.50 mm, left Achilles: 4.96 ± 0.44 mm; p = 0.757 and p = 0.237 respectively). Similarly, no significant difference was observed in tendon SWV between patients (right: 8.00 ± 1.01 m/s, left: 7.85 ± 1.16 m/s) and controls (right: 7.71 ± 0.95 m/s, left: 7.36 ± 0.97 m/s; p = 0.270 and p = 0.089). Additionally, no correlation was found between serum parathyroid hormone or calcium levels and tendon stiffness (p = 0.889-p = 0.902).

Primary hyperparathyroidism does not appear to influence the thickness or stiffness of the Achilles tendon when compared to healthy individuals.