Quantification of Dry Needling and Posture Effects on Myofascial Trigger Points Using Ultrasound Shear-Wave Elastography

Objectives

To determine (1) whether the shear modulus in upper trapezius muscle myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) reduces acutely after dry needling (DN), and (2) whether a change in posture from sitting to prone affects the shear modulus.

Design

Ultrasound images were acquired in B mode with a linear transducer oriented in the transverse plane, followed by performance of shear-wave elastography (SWE) before and after DN and while sitting and prone.

Setting

University.

Participants

Women (N=7; mean age ± SD, 46±17y) with palpable MTrPs were recruited.

Intervention

All participants were dry needled in the prone position using solid filament needles that were inserted and manipulated inside the MTrPs. SWE was performed before and after DN in the sitting and prone positions.

Main Outcome Measure

MTrPs were evaluated by shear modulus using SWE.

Results

Palpable reductions in stiffness were noted after DN and in the prone position. These changes were apparent in the shear modulus map obtained with ultrasound SWE. With significant main effects, the shear modulus reduced from before to after DN (P<.01) and from the sitting to the prone position (P<.05). No significant interaction effect between time and posture was observed.

Conclusions

The shear modulus measured with ultrasound SWE reduced after DN and in the prone position compared with sitting, in agreement with reductions in palpable stiffness. These findings suggest that DN and posture have significant effects on the shear modulus of MTrPs, and that shear modulus measurement with ultrasound SWE may be sensitive enough to detect these effects.     

弹性成像技术诊断脑梗死患者颈动脉斑块

目的 应用实时超声弹性成像量化值（面积比）评价脑梗死患者颈动脉斑块,探讨弹性成像技术评判颈动脉斑块稳定性的价值。方法 在实时状态下获得二维图和弹性图,并进行比较;以二维超声和弹性成像显示清晰斑块,勾画斑块范围,计算其面积和弹性比值。结果 45例脑梗死患者中,超声于33例中检出35处颈动脉粥样硬化斑块,其中低回声斑块4处、等回声斑块5处、高回声斑块11处,不均质回声斑块15处;低回声斑块、不均质回声斑块、等回声斑块、高回声斑块弹性比值依次增大 （F=14.25,P<0.05）,但低回声和不均质回声之间、等回声和不均质回声斑块之间差异均无统计学意义（P均>0.05）。结论 超声弹性成像技术用于判断颈动脉斑块稳定性具有重要临床意义。     

Neck Muscle Stiffness in Participants With and Without Chronic Neck Pain: A Shear-Wave Elastography Study

Objectives

The purpose of the present study was to investigate differences in neck muscle stiffness between patients with chronic neck pain and asymptomatic control group.

Quantitative Assessment of Skin Stiffness Using Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography in Systemic Sclerosis

This study was aimed at investigating the performance of ultrasound shear wave elastography (US-SWE) in the assessment of skin (the dermis) stiffness in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The thickness and elastic modulus of the skin were measured using US-SWE at 6 sites in 60 SSc patients and 60 healthy volunteers: the bilateral middle fingers and forearms and the anterior chest and abdomen. To evaluate clinical scores, the measurements were also extended to 17 skin sites in 30 patients. The diagnostic performance of US-SWE in the differentiation of SSc from healthy skin was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and the reliability of the measurement was evaluated with intra- and inter-class correlation coefficients. The results of US-SWE were compared with modified Rodnan skin thickness scores. Our results indicated that (i) the elastic modulus values were significantly higher in SSc patients than in controls, with or without normalization by skin thickness; (ii) receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed normalized US-SWE cutoff values with a very high accuracy for right and left fingers (areas under the curve?=?0.974 and 0.949), followed by left forearm (0.841), anterior abdomen (0.797), right forearm (0.772) and anterior chest (0.726); (iii) the reliability of US-SWE measurements was good for all examined sites with intra-observer correlation coefficients of 0.845–0.996 and inter-observer correlation coefficients of 0.824–0.985; and (iv) total scores of skin involvement determined at 17 sites (modified Rodnan skin thickness scores) correlated with skin stiffness (r?=?0.832) and thickness (r?=?0.736). In conclusion, US-SWE is a quantitative method with high specificity, sensitivity and reliability in the detection of SSc involvement. This non-invasive, real-time and operator-independent imaging technique could be an ideal tool for the assessment of SSc disease.     

Ultrasonographic Measurement of Neck Muscle Recruitment: A Preliminary Investigation

Chronic cervical pain is a common source of disability in society, and evidence suggests that individuals with neck pain have impairment of the deep cervical flexor (DCF) muscles. This study investigated the recruitment pattern of the neck muscles, particularly the DCF, during the Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT), using ultrasound measurement of muscle activity in asymptomatic subjects. In a cross-sectional design, 10 subjects, of both sexes, with no history of neck pain participated in the study. Participants were instructed to perform the CCFT, and changes in thickness from resting baseline values during the five incremental stages of the test were obtained for DCF and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles using ultrasonography. The most significant changes found in DCF thickness were between phase 1 and phases 4 (p<0.001) and 5 (p= <0.001). For SCM, differences were most significant between phases 1 and 3 (p<0.001), 4 (p<0.001), and 5 (p<0.001); and between phases 3 and 5 (p<0.003). No differences were found between DCF and SCM muscles. The present study confirms the evidence that CCFT increases DCF recruitment. However, the ultrasonography test protocol did not identify differences in recruitment between deep and superficial neck muscles. The present study confirms the evidence that the CCFT challenges the cervical spine and that DCF activity is increased during this maneuver.     

Evaluation of Post-Stroke Spastic Muscle Stiffness Using Shear Wave Ultrasound Elastography

Current clinical evaluations of post-stroke upper limb spasticity are subjective and qualitative. We proposed a quantitative measurement of post-stroke spastic muscle stiffness by using shear-wave ultrasound elastography and tested its reliability. Acoustic radiation force impulse with shear wave velocity (SWV) detection was used to evaluate stiffness of the biceps brachii muscles at 90° and 0° elbow flexion. In 21 control subjects, SWV did not significantly differ between dominant and non-dominant sides at either flexion angle (0°: p = 0.311, 90°: p = 0.436). In 31 patients who had recent stroke, SWV was significantly greater on the paretic side than on the non-paretic side at both 90° (2.23 ± 0.15 m/s vs. 1.88 ± 0.08 m/s, p = 0.036) and 0° (3.28 ± 0.11 m/s vs. 2.93 ± 0.06 m/s, p = 0.002). The physical appearance of arms and forearms of our patients and controls prevented blinding of the rater to paretic or non-paretic side. At 90°, SWV on the paretic side correlated positively with modified Ashworth scale and modified Tardieu scale (spasticity severity) and negatively with Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement score (motor function impairment). The intra-class correlation coefficients of intra-rater and inter-rater reliability for SWV measurements were classified as excellent. In conclusion, high SWV was associated with high spasticity and poor function of the post-stroke upper limb, suggesting possible use as a reliable quantitative measure for disease progression and treatment follow-up.     

超声诊断侵袭性血管黏液瘤

目的 探讨术前超声诊断侵袭性血管黏液瘤(AAM)的临床价值。方法 回顾性分析10例经手术病理检查证实的AAM患者资料,观察AAM的临床特点及术前超声表现。结果 10例AAM患者病灶位于盆腔2例,外阴4例,会阴部延伸至盆腔2例,臀部延伸至盆腔2例。超声均表现为形态不规整的肿块;8例边界清,2例边界稍模糊;3例呈液性伴密集细小点状回声,2例呈不均匀中等回声,1例呈中、低混杂回声,4例呈不均匀低回声;CDFI显示3例未见血流信号,5例可见少量血流信号,2例可见丰富血流信号。术前超声对10例AAM均准确定位,但7例未能定性诊断,3例误诊。结论 AAM临床表现缺乏特征性,超声检查有助于明确肿瘤的位置、侵及范围,但定性诊断较为困难。     

常规超声、超声弹性成像及CEUS诊断糖尿病性乳腺病

目的 探讨常规超声(US)、超声弹性成像及CEUS诊断糖尿病性乳腺病(DMP)的价值。方法 回顾性对比分析经病理证实的19例DMP(DMP组)与49例乳腺浸润性导管癌(IDC)、34例乳腺纤维腺瘤(FA)的术前US、UE及CEUS声像图特征。结果 DMP组患者的平均年龄小于IDC组,大于FA组(P均<0.05);病灶最大径大于IDC、FA组(P均<0.05)。①US:DMP组中病灶边界、高回声晕、后方回声衰减及内部回声与IDC组的差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05),而与FA组的差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05);DMP组病灶内部钙化灶及血流信号检出情况与IDC组的差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。②弹性成像评分:DMP组与IDC组的差异无统计学意义(P=0.383),而DMP组高于FA组(P<0.001)。③CEUS:DMP组中表现为低增强、晚增强的病灶检出率均高于IDC组及FA组、扭曲大血管检出率低于IDC组及FA组(P均<0.05)。结论 术前US及超声弹性成像对DMP与IDC的鉴别诊断价值有限;而CEUS对DMP的鉴别诊断具有一定价值。     

超声应变弹性成像在直肠癌诊断及分期中的应用进展

经直肠超声在直肠癌诊断的应用越来越广泛,通过超声弹性成像技术评估肿瘤硬度,在常规经直肠超声基础上进一步检测肿瘤特征表现,有利于为直肠癌的鉴别诊断、术前分期及放化疗疗效评估提供更多参考信息。本文对经直肠超声应变弹性成像在直肠癌诊断中的应用进行综述。     

Changes in the Thickness and Stiffness of Plantar Soft Tissues in People With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Sun J-H, Cheng BK, Zheng Y-P, Huang Y-P, Leung JY, Cheing GL. Changes in the thickness and stiffness of plantar soft tissues in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Objective

To compare the thickness and stiffness of plantar soft tissues between people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and healthy subjects.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

University research laboratory.

Participants

Subjects with DPN (n=70 [35 men, 35 women]; mean age ± SD, 65.4±8.6y) and healthy control subjects (n=54 [12 men, 42 women]; mean age ± SD, 57.9±6.1y) were recruited.

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

The thickness and stiffness of the plantar soft tissues were measured by the tissue ultrasound palpation system over the pulp of the big toe (BT), first metatarsal head (MTH), second MTH, and the heel.

Results

No significant difference in the thickness of the plantar soft tissues was found in any measurement site between the diabetic group and control group. The plantar soft tissues of the DPN group were significantly stiffer than those of the control group at the BT (85.29kPa vs 50.49kPa), first MTH (96.29kPa vs 62.05kPa), second MTH (84.77kPa vs 52.93kPa), and the heel (65.62kPa vs 44.95kPa) (all P<.01).

Conclusions

People with DPN tend to have stiffer plantar tissues than do healthy control subjects. The stiffer plantar soft tissues may reduce the cushioning effects of the foot during walking for people with DPN.     

Diagnostic Performance of Axial-Strain Sonoelastography in Confirming Clinically Diagnosed Achilles Tendinopathy: Comparison with B-Mode Ultrasound and Color Doppler Imaging

This primary aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of axial-strain sonoelastography (ASE), B-mode ultrasound (US) and color Doppler US in confirming clinically symptomatic Achilles tendinopathy. The secondary aim was to establish the relationship between the strain ratio during sonoelastography and Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment—Achilles (VISA-A) scores. The VISA-A questionnaire is a validated clinical rating scale that evaluates the symptoms and dysfunction of the Achilles tendon. One hundred twenty Achilles tendons of 120 consecutively registered patients with clinical symptoms of Achilles tendinopathy and another 120 gender- and age-matched, asymptomatic Achilles tendons of 120 healthy volunteers were assessed with B-mode US, ASE and color Doppler US. Symptomatic patients had significantly higher strain ratio scores and softer Achilles tendon properties compared with controls (p < 0.001). The strain ratio was moderately correlated with VISA-A scores (r = −0.62, p < 0.001). The diagnostic accuracy of B-mode US, ASE and color Doppler US in confirming clinically symptomatic Achilles tendinopathy was 94.7%, 97.8% and 82.5% respectively. There was excellent correlation between the clinical reference standard and the grade of tendon quality on ASE (κ = 0.91, p < 0.05), compared with B-mode US (κ = 0.74, p < 0.05) and color Doppler imaging (κ = 0.49, p < 0.05). ASE is an accurate clinical tool in the evaluation of Achilles tendinopathy, with results comparable to those of B-mode US and excellent correlation with clinical findings. The strain ratio may offer promise as a supplementary tool for the objective evaluation of Achilles tendon properties.     

超声实时组织弹性成像检测兔腹主动脉粥样硬化斑块

目的 探讨超声实时组织弹性成像评价兔腹主动脉粥样硬化斑块稳定性的价值。方法 将20只日本大耳白兔随机分为正常组和模型组,模型组以高脂喂养-免疫损伤法构建动脉粥样硬化模型。实验开始前及结束后检测血清总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）及低密度脂蛋白（LDL）含量,超声弹性成像检测斑块应变对比值（SR）,检查结束后取病理标本行油红“O”染色及HE染色,构建ROC曲线分析斑块SR在评价斑块稳定性上的诊断价值。结果 造模前两组间血清TC、TG、LDL值差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,造模结束后模型组血清TC、TG、LDL水平高于正常组（P<0.05）;模型组大体标本油红“O”染色示动脉管腔内大片红染的粥样斑块,病理切片HE染色见粥样斑块形成,造模成功率100%,不稳定斑块数量占60.00%（6/10）;ROC曲线分析示超声SR值诊断不稳定斑块有较好的敏感度（83%）和特异度（75%）,SR值诊断界值为2.22,曲线下面积为0.83（P<0.05）。结论 超声实时组织弹性成像SR值可用于斑块半定量分析,在评价动物粥样硬化斑块稳定性方面有较好的应用价值。     

Neck Muscle Stiffness Quantified by Sonoelastography is Correlated with Body Mass Index and Chronic Neck Pain Symptoms

This study aimed to quantify neck muscle stiffness in the normal population with ultrasound elastography. We applied the acoustic radiation force impulse technique and measured shear wave velocities (SWVs) as representative values. The mean ± standard deviation values of SWV in 20 healthy volunteers were 2.09 ± 0.45, 1.21 ± 0.30, 1.12 ± 0.17 and 0.97 ± 0.10 m/s for the trapezius, levator scapulae, scalene anterior and sternocleidomastoid muscles, respectively. The SWV values of the four muscles significantly differed (Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.001). The SWV values for the trapezius muscle correlated with body mass indexes (Pearson's correlation, p = 0.034). Subjects with chronic neck pain symptoms had significantly stiffer trapezius muscle (Mann–Whitney U test, p = 0.008). This study demonstrated the technique and feasibility of quantifying neck muscle stiffness using acoustic radiation force impulse elastography and shear wave velocity detection. Further study is necessary to evaluate its diagnostic power in assessing various neck muscle diseases.     

超声弹性面积比值法与声脉冲辐射力成像鉴别诊断甲状腺结节的对比研究

目的 对比评价超声弹性成像面积比值法(EIAR)及声脉冲辐射力成像(ARFI)在鉴别诊断甲状腺良恶性结节中的价值.方法 对65例患者共78个甲状腺结节进行EIAR和ARFI检测,以病理结果为金标准,构建EIAR与ARFI鉴别诊断甲状腺结节良恶性的ROC曲线,分析两者曲线下面积,并比较其敏感性和特异性.结果 EIAE曲线下面积(0.840)与ARFI曲线下面积(0.856)差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);以EIAR值≥1.23、ARFI测值≥3.18 m/s为诊断临界值,诊断甲状腺恶性结节的敏感性、特异性分别为71.4％、86％和85.7％、74.0％.结论 EIAR与ARFI技术鉴别诊断甲状腺良恶性结节的价值无明显差别,但均对甲状腺良恶性结节的鉴别诊断具有重要作用.     

Measurement of Liver Stiffness Using Shear Wave Elastography in a Rat Model: Factors Impacting Stiffness Measurement with Multiple- and Single-Tracking-Location Techniques

The clinical use of elastography for monitoring fibrosis progression is challenged by the subtle changes in liver stiffness associated with early-stage fibrosis and the comparatively large variance in stiffness estimates provided by elastography. Single-tracking-location (STL) shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) is an ultrasound elastography technique previously found to provide improved estimate precision compared with multiple-tracking-location (MTL) SWEI. Because of the improved precision, it is reasonable to expect that STL-SWEI would provide improved ability to differentiate liver fibrosis stage compared with MTL-SWEI. However, this expectation has not been previously challenged rigorously. In this work, the performance of STL- and MTL-SWEI in the setting of a rat model of liver fibrosis is characterized, and the advantages of STL-SWEI in staging fibrosis are explored. The purpose of this study was to determine what advantages, if any, arise from using STL-SWEI instead of MTL-SWEI in the characterization of fibrotic liver. Thus, the ability of STL-SWEI to differentiate livers at various METAVIR fibrosis scores, for ex vivo postmortem measurements, is explored. In addition, we examined the effect of the common confounding factor of fluid versus solid boundary conditions in SWEI experiments. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with carbon tetrachloride over several weeks to produce liver disease of varying severity. STL and MTL stiffness measurements were performed ex vivo and compared with the METAVIR scores from histological analysis and the duration of treatment. A strong association was observed between liver stiffness and weeks of treatment with the liver toxin carbon tetrachloride. Direct comparison of STL- and MTL-SWEI measurements revealed no significant difference in ability to differentiate fibrosis stages based on SWEI mean values. However, image interquartile range was greatly improved in the case of STL-SWEI, compared with MTL-SWEI, at small beam spacing.     

超声弹性分级与应变率比值鉴别诊断甲状腺微小结节

目的 评价超声弹性成像分级与弹性应变率比值法对直径≤1 cm甲状腺微小结节的诊断价值。方法 对手术病理证实的55例患者的72个直径≤1 cm甲状腺结节的超声弹性图像进行分析,弹性分级分为4级,计算甲状腺组织与结节的弹性应变率比值。分别绘制弹性分级法及弹性应变率比值法的ROC曲线,评价其诊断价值。结果 甲状腺良、恶性结节的超声弹性分级及弹性应变率比值差异均有统计学意义(P<0.001)。超声弹性分级及弹性应变率比值判断甲状腺占位性病灶的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.851、0.890(P=0.124)。甲状腺良、恶性小结节弹性应变率比值诊断界值为2.85。结论 超声弹性分级法同弹性应变率比值法均能够有效地鉴别诊断甲状腺微小结节的性质。     

Ultrasound Evaluation of the Abdominal Wall and Lumbar Multifidus Muscles in Participants Who Practice Pilates: A 1-year Follow-up Case Series

Objective

The purpose of this study was to describe ultrasound (US) changes in muscle thickness produced during automatic activation of the transversus abdominis (TrAb), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and rectus abdominis (RA), as well as the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the lumbar multifidus (LM), after 1 year of Pilates practice.