剪切波弹性成像在针灸治疗肩胛间区肌筋膜疼痛综合征中的应用价值

目的 探讨剪切波弹性成像（SWE）在针灸治疗肩胛间区肌筋膜疼痛综合征（MPS）中的应用价值。方法 前瞻性收集于我院接受针灸治疗的肩胛间区MPS患者39例,其中针对肩胛间区疼痛区域行针灸治疗15例（局部对症治疗组）,针对颈部肩胛背神经走行区行针灸治疗24例（颈部肩胛背神经治疗组）,均每周治疗3次,连续治疗2周,应用视觉模拟（VAS）评分评估其临床疗效,并计算总有效率;应用SWE测量治疗前后菱形肌内、外侧筋膜杨氏模量平均值（Emean）,比较两组治疗前、后Emean及总有效率。结果 局部对症治疗组和颈部肩胛背神经治疗组治疗后VAS评分均较治疗前明显下降,总有效率为92.3%(36/39),其中痊愈8例,显效22例,有效6例,无效3例,局部对症治疗组总有效率为80.0%(12/15),颈部肩胛背神经治疗组总有效率为100%(24/24),两组总有效率比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。治疗前,局部对症治疗组菱形肌内、外侧筋膜Emean分别为21.09(18.31,32.33)kPa、28.82(18.42,36.49)kPa,颈部肩胛背神经治疗组菱形肌内、外侧筋膜Emean分别为23...     

实时剪切波弹性成像对颈肩部肌筋膜疼痛综合征阿是穴针刺疗效评估

目的 探讨实时剪切波弹性成像（SWE）对颈肩部肌筋膜疼痛综合征（MPS）患者经阿是穴针刺治疗后的效果评估价值。方法 应用SWE技术定量测量30例颈肩部肌筋膜疼痛综合征（MPS）患者经阿是穴针刺治疗前后斜方肌疼痛触发点的弹性模量值及弹性评分,并且测量患者治疗前后的疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）。结果 针刺治疗前患者VAS评分与斜方肌MTrPs杨氏模量值及弹性评分均呈明显正相关(r=0.572, P<0.001;r=0.474, P=0.008),经阿是穴针刺治疗后,MPS患者VAS评分较治疗前减低(t=10.02, P<0.001),斜方肌MTrPs超声弹性成像评分 (t=6.34, P<0.001)及杨氏模量值(t=33.36,P<0.001)明显降低,差异均具有统计学意义;经针刺治疗后?VAS、?杨氏模量值与?弹性评分均呈明显正相关(r=0.611, P<0.001;r=0.561, P=0.001)。 结论 实时剪切波弹性成像能客观有效评估颈肩部肌筋膜膜疼痛综合征阿是穴针刺疗效。     

实时剪切波弹性成像对颈肩部肌筋膜疼痛综合征阿是穴针刺疗效的评估

目的探讨实时剪切波弹性成像(SWE)评价颈肩部肌筋膜疼痛综合征(MPS)患者经阿是穴针刺治疗的疗效。方法应用SWE技术定量测量30例颈肩部MPS患者经阿是穴针刺治疗前后斜方肌疼痛触发点的弹性模量值及弹性评分,应用视觉模拟评分(VAS)法评估其主观疼痛强度,分析治疗前VAS评分与杨氏模量值及弹性评分的相关性,以及针刺治疗后VAS评分变化值(?VAS)与杨氏模量变化值(?杨氏模量值)及弹性评分变化值(?弹性评分)的相关性。结果与阿是穴针刺治疗前比较,颈肩部MPS患者针刺治疗后斜方肌疼痛触发点弹性评分及杨氏模量值均明显降低(t=6.34、33.36,均P0.001),VAS评分减低(t=10.02,P0.001)。阿是穴针刺治疗前,颈肩部MPS患者VAS评分与杨氏模量值及弹性评分均呈正相关(r=0.572、0.474,均P0.05);阿是穴针刺治疗后,颈肩部MPS患者?VAS与?杨氏模量值及?弹性评分均呈正相关(r=0.611、0.561,均P0.05)。结论 SWE能客观有效地评估颈肩部MPS患者阿是穴针刺疗效,具有较好的临床应用价值。     

灰阶超声联合剪切波弹性成像评估肌筋膜疼痛综合征患者肌筋膜疼痛触发点

目的 探讨灰阶超声联合剪切波弹性成像（SWE）技术评估肌筋膜疼痛综合征（MPS）患者肌筋膜疼痛触发点（MTrPs）处肌肉形态及组织学特性的价值。方法 以28例MPS患者（36个MTrPs）为病例组,33名健康志愿者（33个正常肌肉点）为对照组。由2名检查者分别测量病例组MTrPs （上斜方肌）厚度、剪切波传播速度（SWV）及杨氏模量值（E）,1名检查者测量对照组上述参数,1周后2组均重复测量。采用组内相关系数（ICC）评价2名检查者检测结果的一致性,以Pearson检验分析MPS患者疼痛视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分与上斜方肌厚度、SWV及E的相关性。结果 2名检查者重复测量一致性、时间一致性及检查者间一致性均好或优（ICC 0.73~0.98）。病例组MPS患者上斜方肌厚度、SWV及E均高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P均<0.05）。MPS患者VAS评分与上斜方肌厚度无相关性（r=0.016,P=0.945）,与SWV （r=0.709,P<0.001）、E （r=0.653,P=0.002）均呈正相关。结论 灰阶超声联合SWE可定量评估MPS患者MTrPs处肌肉形态及组织学特性。     

剪切波超声弹性成像技术和表面肌电图在颈肩肌筋膜疼痛综合征疗效评估中的应用

目的:探讨剪切波超声弹性成像(SWE)技术和表面肌电图(sEMG)在颈肩肌筋膜疼痛综合征(MPS)疗效评估中的应用价值。方法:回顾性分析2017年10月~2019年10月间医院收治的90例颈肩(MPS)患者的临床资料,所有患者均接受4个疗程(7d为1疗程)的针刺联合推拿治疗,根据治疗后1个月的疗效划分为A组(54例)、B组(36例)。于治疗前、后采用SWE检测两组患者的杨氏模量值、触发点厚度、组织弹性图评分,并使用sEMG检测平均振幅值、平均频率斜率值,并使用受试者工作曲线(ROC)分析以上指标对颈肩MPS患者疗效的评估价值。结果:治疗前,两组患者的组织弹性图评分、杨氏模量值、筋膜厚度、平均振幅值、平均频率斜率等比较,差异均无统计学意义(P_均>0.05)。治疗后,两组患者的组织弹性图评分、杨氏模量值、筋膜厚度等均低于治疗前(A组B组),差异均具有统计学意义(P_均<0.05)。ROC曲线显示,组织弹性图评分、杨氏模量值、筋膜厚度、平均振幅值、平均频率斜率评估颈肩MPS患者疗效的AUC分别为0.750、0.744、0.836、0.812、0.752,具有一定的价值,且联合检查的价值较高(AUC=0.957,P<0.01)。结论:剪切波超声弹性成像技术联合表面肌电图可用于颈肩肌筋膜疼痛综合征疗效评估。     

剪切波速度评价肌筋膜疼痛综合征患者疗效的价值初探

目的应用剪切波速度(SWV)评价肌筋膜疼痛综合征(MPS)患者的治疗效果,探讨其临床应用价值。方法选取80例MPS患者(MPS组)和80例同期健康志愿者(对照组),采用视觉模拟评分(VAS)、疼痛评定指数(PRI)和现时疼痛强度(PPI)评估患者疼痛程度;使用声辐射力脉冲弹性成像观察斜方肌组织弹性,并记录SWV值。所有MPS患者均接受6个疗程的常规治疗,将疗效达到显效及痊愈的患者根据自愿原则进行分组,继续以SWV值作为疗效观察指标并进行治疗者为继续治疗组,未继续治疗者为停止治疗组,两组患者随访1年,比较治疗后复发率的差异。结果 MPS组患者平均SWV值(4.35±1.56)m/s,对照组平均SWV值(1.53±0.56)m/s,差异有统计学意义(t=15.218,P=0.000)。治疗过程中MPS患者VAS评分和SWV值均呈下降趋势,差异均有统计学意义(F=3.649、2.631,P=0.000、0.018)。MPS患者治疗后显效及痊愈者63例,显效率78.8%;治疗后MPS患者的VAS评分、PRI、PPI均显著低于治疗前,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05)。MPS组治疗后平均SWV值(2.63±1.09)m/s,显著低于治疗前(4.35±1.56)m/s,差异有统计学意义(t=8.084,P=0.000)。继续治疗组30例患者的复发率显著低于停止治疗组33例患者(6.7%vs. 40.0%),差异有统计学意义(χ~2=8.760,P=0.003)。结论 SWV值能客观反映MPS患者的斜方肌组织硬度,可作为MPS患者疗效评价的较好指标,具有重要临床应用价值。     

剪切波速度提高肌筋膜疼痛综合征患者疗效的价值初探

目的 探索剪切波速度（shear wave velocity, SWV）提高肌筋膜疼痛综合征（myofascial pain syndrome, MPS）患者治疗疗效的价值。方法 选择我院收治的MPS患者80例并定义为MPS组,同期选择健康志愿者80例作为对照组。采用视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale, VAS)、疼痛评定指数(values of pain rating index, PRI)、现时疼痛强度 (present pain intensity, PPI)评估患者疼痛程度。使用声辐射力脉冲（acoustic radiation force impulse, ARFI）弹性成像观察斜方肌组织弹性并记录SWV值。MPS患者均接受6个疗程的常规治疗,之后将疗效达到显效及以上的患者根据患者自愿原则进行分组,继续以SWV作为疗效观察指标并进行治疗的定义为继续治疗组,不继续治疗的患者定义为停止治疗组。所有患者进行为期1年的随访,比较继续治疗组与停止治疗组治疗后复发率的差异。结果 治疗过程中患者VAS值和SWV值均呈下降趋势,其差异有统计学意义（FVAS=3.649,PVAS=0.000;FVAS=2.631,PVAS=0.018）。MPS患者整体治疗的显效率为78.8%。治疗后MPS患者的VAS 、PRI、PPI均显著低于治疗前,差异均具有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）。MPS组治疗后平均SWV（2.63±1.09 m/）显著低于治疗前（4.35±1.56 m/s）,差异具有统计学意义（t=8.084,P=0.000）。继续治疗组累计无复发率（93.33%）显著高于停止治疗组（61.29%）,Logrank检验差异有统计学意义（X2=8.760,P=0.003）。结论 ARFI的SWV值可以客观反应MPS患者病情的严重程度,利用SWV值作为疗效的判定标准可能可以获得更好的疗效。     

弹性成像引导下针刺激痛点治疗肌筋膜疼痛的疗效初探

目的 研究实时组织弹性成像（RTE）引导下针刺肌筋膜激痛点（MTrPs）治疗肌筋膜疼痛综合征（MPS）的应用价值。方法 研究对象为2017年8月至2018年8月在我院就诊的60例MPS患者,随机平均分为RTE组和传统针刺组,对患者进行随访1年,比较两组患者治疗前后MTrPs弹性评分、疼痛评分的差异并研究两者的相关性。比较两组患者的治疗效果及远期预后。结果 治疗后RTE组的弹性评分、视觉模拟评分(VAS) 和疼痛评定指数均明显低于传统针刺组（P＜0.05）,弹性评分与VAS、PRI、现时疼痛强度 (PPI)均呈正相关（均r＞0且P＜0.05）,其中弹性评分与VAS的相关程度最强（r=0.673, P=0.000）。MTrPs弹性评分与VAS在不同疗程中的变化趋势近似,均呈下降趋势（P＜0.05）。RTE组的显效率为86.7%,累计无复发率为93.33%,传统针刺组的显效率为60%,累计无复发率为57.14%,RTE组的显效率及累计无复发率均明显高于传统针刺组（P＜0.05）。结论 RTE引导下针刺MTrPs的治疗效果及预后均明显优于传统触诊法针刺。     

剪切波弹性成像在前列腺癌诊断中的临床价值

评价新型剪切波弹性成像技术对前列腺癌的诊断价值。方法 回顾性分析49例前列腺癌患者（前列腺癌组）和15例前列腺良性病变患者（良性病变组）的剪切波弹性成像资料,测量并比较其杨氏模量值;绘制平均杨氏模量值诊断前列腺癌的受试者工作特征曲线,确定其诊断界值并计算其敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值、诊断准确率及曲线下面积;分析可疑病灶区与邻近周缘带内正常组织的平均杨氏模量值之比（Eration）与前列腺Gleason评分之间的相关性。结果 前列腺癌组杨氏模量值为（Emin44.3±11.2、Emax73.2±15.9Kpa、Emean57.6±11.7Kpa、Eration5.8±2.9 ）,良性病变组杨氏模量值为（Emin24.3±10.5Kpa、Emax42.2±9.7Kpa、Emean、30.3±10.4Kpa、Eration2.8±1.3）,两组比较,（差异有统计学意义,p值分别为0.020、0.018、0.013、0.010）。平均杨氏模量值诊断前列腺癌的ROC曲线：当Emean截断点选为41KPa时,诊断效率较高。（敏感度91%,特异度78%,阳性预测值64.6%,阴性预测值为95.3%,曲线下面积是0.934） Gleason评分为8分、9分的前列腺癌组织的Eration要明显高于Gleason评分为6、7分的组织,二者之间p值＜0.001。结论 经直肠剪切波弹性对于前列腺癌的诊断价值较好,具有较高的诊断准确率。     

剪切波技术对先兆子痫患者胎盘弹性的初步研究

目的：探讨剪切波弹性成像（shear wave elastography,SWE）技术定量分析先兆子痫患者胎盘弹性的临床应用价值。方法：选取单胎妊娠妇女76例（先兆子痫组22例,健康对照组54例）,常规测量脐动脉、双侧子宫动脉血流动力学参数（S/D、PI、RI）,SWE测量胎盘中央胎儿面、中央母体面、边缘胎儿面、边缘母体面四个不同区域弹性模量值。根据胎盘四个区域平均弹性模量值绘制ROC曲线,获取诊断先兆子痫的最佳临界值,计算敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值。结果：先兆子痫组胎盘中央胎儿面、中央母体面、边缘胎儿面、边缘母体面弹性模量值分别为：8.54±3.74KPa、9.46±3.64KPa、8.48±2.66KPa、9.25±3.00KPa,健康对照组弹性模量值分别为：6.38±1.87KPa、6.51±1.52KPa、6.37±1.55KPa、6.48±1.58KPa,先兆子痫组四个区域弹性模量值均高于健康对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。两组资料胎盘四个区域之间弹性模量值差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。胎盘弹性模量平均值预测先兆子痫的ROC曲线下面积为0.754,界值为8.19KPa,敏感性、特异性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为64%、96%、88%、87%,符合率87%。胎盘弹性模量值与双侧子宫动脉血流动力学参数低度相关（P＜0.05）,与脐动脉血流动力学参数无显著相关性（P＞0.05）。结论：先兆子痫孕妇胎盘硬度较正常孕妇高,SWE技术可以定量获得胎盘组织硬度,有助于评估先兆子痫孕妇胎盘功能。     

Heel Pad Stiffness in Plantar Heel Pain by Shear Wave Elastography

The goal of the study was to evaluate the reliability of supersonic shear wave elastography in measuring heel pad stiffness and the change in heel pad stiffness in patients with plantar heel pain. In the reliability test involving 12 normal participants, each heel pad was tested six times in succession, and adequate reliability was reflected in the intraclass correlation coefficients (0.95, 0.93 and 0.96 for the microchambers, macrochambers and bulk heel pad, respectively). In the clinical assessment involving 20 normal participants and 16 unilateral plantar heel pain patients, diseased heel pads (86.8 ± 22.9, 36.8 ± 7.7 and 46.6 ± 10.9 kPa for the microchambers, macrochambers and bulk heel pad, respectively) were significantly stiffer than unaffected heel pads (66.8 ± 14.1, 25.2 ± 5.7, 34.2 ± 6.6 kPa) and those of normal participants (60.9 ± 11.4, 26.3 ± 6.1, 31.8 ± 6.3 kPa), suggesting that the heel pad with plantar heel pain was associated with loss of elasticity.     

超声评分法与SWE在原发性干燥综合征中的应用价值

目的探讨超声评分法与剪切波弹性成像(SWE)在原发性干燥综合征(pSS)中的应用价值。方法选取有口眼干燥症状、疑诊pSS的患者113例,根据2016年美国风湿病学会(ACR)与欧洲抗风湿病联盟(EULAR)共同制定的ACR/EULAR标准进行诊断,并对患者双侧腮腺、颌下腺行二维超声与SWE检查,分析超声对pSS的诊断价值。结果pSS组74例患者,对照组37例非pSS患者。pSS组超声评分阳性率明显高于对照组(85%vs 59%,P<0.01)。分组后,0、1、2分组中pSS患者腮腺、颌下腺杨氏模量值明显高于对照组(P<0.01)。结论超声评分法与SWE相结合,能够在评估腮腺、颌下腺形态结构改变的同时,进一步评估其弹性改变,对pSS的早期诊断与鉴别诊断具有一定价值。     

Non-invasive Assessment of Changes in Muscle Injury by Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography: An Experimental Study in Contusion Model

The present study investigated the potential of ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) in assessment of muscle stiffness in muscle injury. SWE was performed on the injured muscle in 30 New Zealand rabbits that were randomly assigned to three groups: the contusion group, which was not treated with an efficient therapeutic strategy after muscle injury; the treatment group, which was treated with a therapeutic scheme after muscle injury; and the healthy group, which was not injured and served as a control. Both the mean Young's modulus (E_mean) and the maximum Young's modulus (E_max) were obtained pre-injury and 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 28 d post-injury. At these time points, a rabbit in each group was randomly selected for biopsy for histopathological observation as well as comparison with Young's modulus. Eventually, all muscle tissues were collected for histologic analysis of collagen fiber formation. The contusion group had the highest Young's modulus, followed by the treatment group and then the healthy group (p < 0.05). In both the contusion and treatment groups, E_mean and E_max gradually increased within 1–3 d after injury, followed by a gradual decrease. Compared with the healthy group, histopathologic analysis of the contusion and treatment groups revealed the myofibril destruction process, inflammatory reaction and myofibril regeneration. The amount of collagen fibers in the contusion group was maximal compared with the treated and healthy groups (p?=?0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). There were more collagen fibers in the treatment group than in the healthy group (p?=?0.003). The abundance of collagen fibers was positively correlated with the value of Young's modulus (E_mean: r?=?0.706, p < 0.001; E_max: r?=?0.761, p < 0.001). Thus, SWE can be used to detect pathologic changes in injured muscle and to monitor therapeutic effects.     

Point Shear Wave Elastography for Non-invasive Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Viral Hepatitis

Elastography point quantification (ElastPQ) is a new ultrasound-based shear wave elastography method for non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of ElastPQ in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Fibrosis stage (F) was determined by transient elastography (F0/F1: <7.1 kPa, F2: 7.1–9.4 kPa, F3: 9.5–12.4 kPa, F4: ≥12.5 kPa). Area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUROC) analysis was performed to assess ElastPQ cutoffs for significant fibrosis (≥F2) and cirrhosis (F4). Paired transient elastography and ElastPQ measurements were obtained from 217 patients (mean age ± SEM: 49 ± 0.79 years, 68.2% male, F0/F1: n?=?98 [45.0%], F2: 47 [21.6%], F3: 22 [10.1%], F4: 50 [22.9%]). AUROC for ≥F2 was 0.843 (95% confidence interval: 0.791–0.895), and for F4, 0.933 (95% confidence interval: 0.894–0.972). The optimal ElastPQ cutoff for F2 was 6.68 kPa (sensitivity: 80.7%, specificity: 70.4%, positive predictive value: 78.5%, negative predictive value: 72.3%), and for F4 11.28 kPa (sensitivity: 86.0%, specificity: 85.6%, positive predictive value: 60.52%, negative predictive value: 97.16%). In conclusion, ElastPQ represents an accurate tool for non-invasive staging of liver fibrosis in patients with viral hepatitis.     

Testicular Shear Wave Elastography in Normal and Infertile Men: A Prospective Study on 601 Patients

Our aim in the study described here was to prospectively establish the feasibility of using and reproducibility of testicular shear-wave elastography in the assessment of testicular stiffness in 62 normal patients and 539 infertile men with obstructive azoospermia (OA), non-Klinefelter syndrome non-obstructive azoospermia (non-KS NOA), Klinefelter syndrome NOA (KS NOA), oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) or a left varicocele. The feasibility rate was 96.9%, with an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.85 (95% confidence interval: 0.83–0.88). Median stiffness (interquartile range) values were 2.4 kPa (2.0, 2.9), 2.1 kPa (1.8, 2.5), 2.4 kPa (2.0, 2.7), 2.0 kPa (1.7, 2.4), 2.6 kPa (2, 3.2) and 2.2 kPa (1.8, 2.6) for men with a normal testis (n = 108), OAT (n = 689), OA (n = 119), non-KS NOA (n = 183), KS NOA (n = 70) and varicocele (n = 132), respectively. Testicular shear wave elastography is a feasible and reproducible technique. A significant positive association was found between stiffness and testis volume (p = 0.001). Testicular stiffness was higher in OA than in non-KS NOA populations (p = 1.e?10) and in KS NOA than in NOA populations (p = 2.0e?8), but the substantial number of overlapping values limited the clinical impact.     

Quantitative Evaluation of Denervated Muscle Atrophy with Shear Wave Ultrasound Elastography and a Comparison with the Histopathologic Parameters in an Animal Model

This study explored the efficacy of shear wave ultrasound elastography (SWUE) for quantitative evaluation of denervated muscle atrophy in a rabbit model. The elastic modulus of the triceps surae muscle was measured with SWUE and compared with histopathologic parameters at baseline and at various post-denervation times (2, 4 and 8?wk) with 10 animals in each group. Our results revealed that the elastic modulus of denervated muscle was significantly lower at 2?wk but higher at 8?wk compared with that at the baseline (p?<0.05), and no significant difference was found between the elastic modulus at 4?wk and that at the baseline (p?>?0.05). The wet-weight ratio and the muscle fiber cross-sectional area of the denervated muscle decreased gradually during the 8?wk post-denervation together with a gradual increase of the collagen fiber area (p?<0.05). In conclusion, SWUE was useful for quantitative evaluation of muscle denervation. The decreased elastic modulus might be an early sign of denervated muscle atrophy.     

Pre-Operative Evaluation of Axillary Lymph Node Status in Patients with Suspected Breast Cancer Using Shear Wave Elastography

The aim of this study was to evaluate shear wave elastography (SWE) for pre-operative evaluation of axillary lymph node (LN) status in patients with suspected breast cancer. A total of 130 axillary LNs in 130 patients who underwent SWE before fine-needle aspiration, core biopsy or surgery were analyzed. On gray-scale images, long and short axes, shape (elliptical or round), border (sharp or unsharp) and cortical thickening (concentric, eccentric or no fatty hilum) of LNs were assessed. On SWE, mean, maximum, minimum, standard deviation and the lesion-to-fat ratio (E_ratio) values of elasticity were collected. Gray-scale and SWE features were compared statistically between metastatic and benign LNs using the χ²-test and independent t-test. Diagnostic performance of each feature was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine gray-scale or SWE features independently associated with metastatic LNs. Of the 130 LNs, 65 (50%) were metastatic and 65 (50%) were benign after surgery. Metastatic LNs were significantly larger (p = 0.018); had higher elasticity indexes at SWE (p < 0.0001); and had higher proportions of round shape (p = 0.033), unsharp border (p = 0.048) and eccentric cortical thickening or no fatty hilum (p = 0.005) compared with benign LNs. On multivariate analysis, E_ratio was independently associated with metastatic LNs (odds ratio = 3.312, p = 0.008). E_ratio had the highest AUC among gray-scale (0.582–0.719) and SWE (0.900–0.950) variables. SWE had good diagnostic performance in metastatic axillary LNs, and E_ratio was independently associated with metastatic LNs.     

Quantitative Assessment of Healthy Skin Elasticity: Reliability and Feasibility of Shear Wave Elastography

The goal of this study was to investigate the reliability and feasibility of shear wave elastography by assessing the elasticity of the healthy skin of 40 volunteers. Young's moduli for bilateral fingers, forearms, anterior chest (sternum), and anterior abdomen were determined with both transverse and longitudinal sectional measurements. Reliability of measurements was evaluated using intra- and inter-class correlation coefficients with two observers. Our results revealed that the elastic modulus values of the skin between symmetric parts of fingers and forearms did not statistically different. No differences were found between the transverse and longitudinal sections of forearms, anterior chest, and abdomen (p > 0.05), except for middle fingers (p = 0.004). Inter-observer and intra-observer repeatability (inter- and intra-class correlation coefficients) varied from moderate to excellent depending on the skin site (0.62–0.91). In conclusion, shear wave elastography reached a good consistency in measuring healthy skin elasticity. Further studies are needed to provide more information on the factors that influence the reliability of shear wave elastography measurements in both healthy and diseased skin.