The Impact of Ultrasound Probe Tilt on Muscle Thickness and Echo-Intensity: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Elbow flexors
muscle quality
test-retest
tibialis anterior
ultrasound
Journal
Journal of clinical densitometry : the official journal of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry
ISSN: 1094-6950
Titre abrégé: J Clin Densitom
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 9808212
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Historique:
received:
31
07
2018
revised:
19
10
2018
accepted:
22
10
2018
pubmed:
21
11
2018
medline:
7
10
2021
entrez:
21
11
2018
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
To determine the influence of ultrasound probe tilt on reliability and overall changes in muscle thickness and echo-intensity. Thirty-six individuals had a total of 15 images taken on both the biceps brachii and tibialis anterior muscles. These images were taken in 2° increments with the probe tilted either upward (U) or downward (D) from perpendicular (0°) to the muscle (U6°, U4°, U2°, 0°, D2°, D4°, and D6°). All images were then saved, stored, and analyzed using Image-J software for echo-intensity and muscle thickness measures. Mean values (2-3 measurements within each probe angle) were compared across each probe angle, and reliability was assessed as if the first measure was taken perpendicular to the muscle, but the second measure was taken with the probe tilted to a different angle (to assume unintentional adjustments in reliability from probe tilt). Tilting the probe as little as 2° produced a significant 4.7%, and 10.5% decrease in echo-intensity of the tibialis anterior and biceps brachii muscles, respectively, while changes in muscle thickness were negligible (<1%) at all probe angles. The reliability for muscle thickness was greater than that of echo-intensity when the probe was held perpendicular at both measurements (∼1% vs 3%), and the impact that probe tilt had on reliability was exacerbated for echo-intensity measurements (max coefficient of variation: 24.5%) compared to muscle thickness (max coefficient of variation: 1.5%). While muscle thickness is less sensitive to ultrasound probe tilt, caution should be taken to ensure minimal probe tilt is present when taking echo-intensity measurements as this will alter mean values and reduce reliability. Echo-intensity values should be interpreted cautiously, particularly when comparing values across technicians/studies where greater alterations in probe tilt is likely.
Sections du résumé
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND
To determine the influence of ultrasound probe tilt on reliability and overall changes in muscle thickness and echo-intensity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty-six individuals had a total of 15 images taken on both the biceps brachii and tibialis anterior muscles. These images were taken in 2° increments with the probe tilted either upward (U) or downward (D) from perpendicular (0°) to the muscle (U6°, U4°, U2°, 0°, D2°, D4°, and D6°). All images were then saved, stored, and analyzed using Image-J software for echo-intensity and muscle thickness measures. Mean values (2-3 measurements within each probe angle) were compared across each probe angle, and reliability was assessed as if the first measure was taken perpendicular to the muscle, but the second measure was taken with the probe tilted to a different angle (to assume unintentional adjustments in reliability from probe tilt).
RESULTS
Tilting the probe as little as 2° produced a significant 4.7%, and 10.5% decrease in echo-intensity of the tibialis anterior and biceps brachii muscles, respectively, while changes in muscle thickness were negligible (<1%) at all probe angles. The reliability for muscle thickness was greater than that of echo-intensity when the probe was held perpendicular at both measurements (∼1% vs 3%), and the impact that probe tilt had on reliability was exacerbated for echo-intensity measurements (max coefficient of variation: 24.5%) compared to muscle thickness (max coefficient of variation: 1.5%).
CONCLUSION
While muscle thickness is less sensitive to ultrasound probe tilt, caution should be taken to ensure minimal probe tilt is present when taking echo-intensity measurements as this will alter mean values and reduce reliability. Echo-intensity values should be interpreted cautiously, particularly when comparing values across technicians/studies where greater alterations in probe tilt is likely.
Identifiants
pubmed: 30454951
pii: S1094-6950(18)30176-8
doi: 10.1016/j.jocd.2018.10.003
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
630-638Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2018 The International Society for Clinical Densitometry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.