Neck muscle stiffness quantified by sonoelastography is correlated with body mass index and chronic neck pain symptoms
Journal
Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Journal Volume
39
Journal Issue
8
Pages
1356-1361
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
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. ? 2013 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.
SDGs
Other Subjects
Correlation methods; Diagnosis; Elasticity; Health; Medical imaging; Nondestructive examination; Shear waves; Stiffness; Ultrasonic applications; Ultrasonography; Wave propagation; Body mass index; Chronic pain; Elasticity imaging; Musculoskeletal physiological phenomena; Neck pains; Muscle; acoustic radiation force impulse imaging; adult; article; body mass; case report; chronic pain; elastography; female; human; levator scapula muscle; male; muscle rigidity; neck muscle; neck pain; physical parameters; priority journal; quantitative analysis; scalene anterior muscle; shear wave velocity; sternocleidomastoid muscle; stiff neck; trapezius muscle
Publisher
Elsevier USA
Type
journal article