Influence of the Physical Pressure of an Ultrasound Probe on Shear-wave Elastography Measurements of the Gastrocnemius Muscle in a Paediatric Population: a Non-interventional Cohort Study

Overview

Journal Pol J Radiol

Publisher Termedia

Specialty Radiology

Date 2024 Feb 19

PMID 38371890

Authors

Agnieszka Cebula

Maciej Cebula

Marta Czajkowska

Katarzyna Gruszczynska

Ilona Kopyta

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of our study is to evaluate the impact of ultrasound probe mechanical pressure on the stiffness of the gastrocnemius muscle in a healthy paediatric population. As far as we know, there has been no previous qualitative in vivo study on the impact of probe pressure on muscle shear-wave elastography results with objective evaluation of compression in the paediatric population.

Material And Methods: In this cohort study, a group of 22 children (mean age 8.99 years, SD 2.74, 11 males) underwent elastography of the gastrocnemius muscle of the dominant leg. A custom-made, 3-dimensional printed probe cover was used to measure the mechanical pressure of the probe on tissues.

Results: The obtained results were related to the age, sex, BMI, and calf circumference of the subjects. We observed a significant difference in the stiffness parameter at a pressure of 1 N, with a further increase if force was increased ( < 0.001). A significant, very weak positive correlation of age and stiffness was observed ( < 0.001, = 0.022). There was no significant correlation of stiffness, BMI, and calf circumference.

Conclusions: The use of compression during muscle elastography in children causes a significant bias in results, regardless of age, sex, BMI, or calf size.

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