Aims and objectives
Ultrasound elastography is a developing form of ultrasonographic diagnostic technique evaluating the tissue elasticity based on differences in stiffness between different biological tissues.
There are different types of ultrasound elastography available and one of the most widely used methods is the strain elastography,
also known as static or compression elastography.
This technique is used to study tissue elasticity alterations in different tissues such as thyroid,
breast,
lymph node,
prostate,
and musculoskeletal system.
To date,
in musculoskeletal applications there are several studies applying ultrasound elastography to...
Methods and materials
21 healthy males (25-30 y.o.) were recruited.
Each participant underwent ultrasound elastography of both patellar and quadriceps tendons.
42 patellar tendons and 42 quadriceps tendons were examined.
Examination was performed with a linear 13 MHz ultrasound transducer (EsaoteMyLab Twice) equipped with strain elastography.
Each tendon was evaluated in passive flexion and passive extension and all tendons had a normal sonographic grey-scale appearence.
For the elastography evalution of patellar tendon,
a ROI was placed over the proximal aspect of the tendon,
just distal to the inferior...
Results
42 patellar tendons and 42 quadricepstendon were examined.
For each tendon,
the results of ratio between the two ROI were compared
using the t-test.
In passive extension the elasticity of the patellar tendon was significantly lower (p<0.001) than in passive flexion.
In passive extension the elasticity of the quadriceps tendon was significantly lower (p<0.005) than in passive flexion.
No differences between right and left sides were evident.
Conclusion
In conclusion,
the elasticity of patellar and quadriceps tendons is dependent on knee position.
In particular,
in passive extension the elasticity of both the patellar and quadriceps tendon is significantly lower than in passive flexion.
This knowledge is important for the standardization of knee position during ultrasound elastography examination.
Personal information
Nicola Romano:
Department of Radiology,
University of Genoa,
Italy
Aldo Fischetti:
Department of Radiology,
University of Genoa,
Italy
Giacomo Rebella:
Department of Radiology,
University of Genoa,
Italy
Giancarlo Salsano:
Department of Radiology,
University of Genoa,
Italy
Marzia Marino:
Department of Radiology,
General Hospital of Loreto,
ASUR2,
Ancona,
Italy
Alessandro Muda: Department of Radiology,
Policlinico San Martino,
Genoa,
Italy
Corresponding author: Nicola Romano
For questions and/or comments about this poster,
please contact me at:
[email protected]
References
-Bianchi S.,
Martinoli C.
Ultrasound of the Musculoskeletal System. Springer 2007
-Berko NS,
Mehta Ak,
Levin TL,
Schulz JF.Effect of knee position on the ultrasound elastography appearance of the patellar tendon. Clin Radiol.2015 Oct;70(10):1083-6
-Ayse Nur Sirin Ozcan,
Sinan Tan,
Nuray Gulden Tangal,
Saliha Cıracı,
Savas Kudas,
Suleyman Bulent Bektaser,
Halil Arslan.Real-time sonoelastography of the patellar and quadriceps tendons: pattern description in profesional athletes and healthy volunteers.Med Ultrason 2016,
Vol.
18,
no.
3,
299-304