Abstract
Purpose Standardized application and evaluation of the strain ultrasound elastography method
(USE) by means of a strain color scale (SCS) and a strain ratio analysis. To determine
differences in muscle elasticity in healthy children and adults.
Materials and Methods Initially Mm. biceps brachii, Mm. recti femoris and Mm. gastrocnemii of 22 healthy
adults were examined before and after exercise. Secondly measurements were obtained
at rest in 21 healthy children.
Results There was a difference in muscle elasticity between the upper and lower extremity.
Muscle elasticity tends to be higher after exercise in healthy adults. SCS and strain
ratio analysis show a similar trend. In comparison to adults, healthy children show
lower muscle elasticity at rest using both analysis methods.
Conclusion Strain elastography is an easy to perform, cost-effective, non-invasive method to
determine muscle stiffness, if the conditions of standardized measurements are given.
Key Points:
-
It is possible to perform standardized measurements with the strain elastography method
in healthy adults and children
-
Strain color scale as well as strain ratio analysis are appropriate tools to interpret
the elastogrammes
-
strain elastography shows higher elasticity in adults’ muscles after exercise
-
strain elastography shows higher elasticity in adults’ muscles than in muscles of
healthy children
Citation Format
Key words
muscle elasticity - strain elastography - ultrasound elastography - children
