AIM: To compare the elasticity of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles in patients with cervicogenic headache and in healthy volunteers. METHODS: The medical history of 23 patients with cervicogenic headache was taken with a focus on pain characteristics. Elasticity of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles was measured by using shear wave elastography. Results were then compared with 23 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The sternocleidomastoid muscle was significantly stiffer in patients with cervicogenic headache compared to healthy volunteers. The stiffness increased gradually from the parasternal area, where it was negligible, to the area near the mastoid process where it reached over 20 kPa. There was no difference in the stiffness of the trapezius muscle. The stiffness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle does show a significant dependence on headache characteristics (e.g., laterality, severity, or frequency). CONCLUSION: The results of this pilot study show that patients with cervicogenic headache have a higher stiffness of the sternocleidomastoid muscle than healthy volunteers. These findings suggest that elastography could be used as a diagnostic tool in cervicogenic headache.
- Keywords
- cervicogenic headache, shear wave elastography, sternocleidomastoid muscle, trapezius muscle,
- MeSH
- Elasticity Imaging Techniques * methods MeSH
- Neck Muscles diagnostic imaging physiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Pilot Projects MeSH
- Post-Traumatic Headache * diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Elasticity MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The aim of this study was to examine the influence of hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle on deep fasciae. A total of 29 women, 17 users, and 12 nonusers of hormonal contraceptives were examined clinically and by ultrasound, including shear wave elastography, at two phases of the menstrual cycle. The thickness and elasticity of the fascia lata, thoracolumbar fascia, and plantar fascia were measured, compared between hormonal contraceptive users and nonusers, and correlated with clinical data. There were statistically significant differences between users and nonusers of hormonal contraceptives: the thoracolumbar fascia was thicker in nonusers (P = 0.011), and nonusers had higher maximal and mean stiffnesses of the fascia lata (P = 0.01 and 0.0095, respectively). Generally, nonusers had a higher body mass index (BMI). The elasticity of the thoracolumbar and the plantar fasciae did not differ significantly between the groups. We found no correlation between thickness and elasticity in the fasciae. There were no statistically significant differences in hypermobility, cephalgia, or dysmenorrhea between users and nonusers of hormonal contraceptives. The results of this pilot study suggest that deep fasciae can be evaluated by shear wave elastography. Nonusers of contraceptives had greater stiffness of the fascia lata and higher BMI. Clin. Anat. 32:941-947, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
- Keywords
- elasticity imaging techniques, estrogens, fascia, fascialata, lumbar fascia,
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Elasticity Imaging Techniques MeSH
- Fascia Lata anatomy & histology drug effects MeSH
- Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal administration & dosage pharmacology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Menstrual Cycle physiology MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Prospective Studies MeSH
- Elasticity drug effects MeSH
- Case-Control Studies MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal MeSH
Nowadays, a high-induction magnetic stimulation is starting to be increasingly applied as a biophysical stimulation in the conservative treatment of the degenerative locomotor system diseases. These are mainly in correlation with the changes in soft tissue elasticity, which should be positively influenced by the flow-induced electrical currents of high current density during high-induction magnetic stimulation. This assumption was verified within the interventional and prospective study using the ultrasound elastography. The group consisted of 6 volunteers, whose elasticity of the patellar tendons was measured using the 2D shear-wave ultrasound elastography. The volunteers were then exposed to a 20-minute high-induction magnetic stimulation session with a frequency of 20 Hz, in 2 s package intervals, with a 5 s pause, and a induced electric current density of 100 Am-2 in the tendons area. A tendon tension was measured five times for all volunteers, where mean tension at the marked area of the tendon, as well as the highest point tension indicated by the Q-Box, was monitored. The measurement results show that high-induction magnetic stimulation has an influence on the patellar tendon tension change, which occurred in the case of all involved volunteers when the patellar tension was decreased.
- MeSH
- Algorithms MeSH
- Biophysics MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Elasticity Imaging Techniques * MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Patellar Ligament diagnostic imaging MeSH
- Shear Strength MeSH
- Movement MeSH
- Elasticity MeSH
- Rehabilitation methods MeSH
- Ultrasonography * MeSH
- Healthy Volunteers MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Keywords
- AGING/effects *, LUNGS/physiology *,
- MeSH
- Respiratory Physiological Phenomena * MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Lung physiology MeSH
- Elasticity * MeSH
- Respiratory Function Tests * MeSH
- Aging * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Decision-making in treatment of an acute compartment syndrome is based on clinical assessment, supported by invasive monitoring. Thus, evolving compartment syndrome may require repeated pressure measurements. In suspected cases of potential compartment syndromes clinical assessment alone seems to be unreliable. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a non-invasive application estimating whole compartmental elasticity by ultrasound, which may improve accuracy of diagnostics. MATERIAL AND METHODS In an in-vitro model, using an artificial container simulating dimensions of the human anterior tibial compartment, intracompartmental pressures (p) were raised subsequently up to 80 mm Hg by infusion of saline solution. The compartmental depth (mm) in the cross-section view was measured before and after manual probe compression (100 mm Hg) upon the surface resulting in a linear compartmental displacement (Δd). This was repeated at rising compartmental pressures. The resulting displacements were related to the corresponding intra-compartmental pressures simulated in our model. A hypothesized relationship between pressures related compartmental displacement and the elasticity at elevated compartment pressures was investigated. RESULTS With rising compartmental pressures, a non-linear, reciprocal proportional relation between the displacement (mm) and the intra-compartmental pressure (mm Hg) occurred. The Pearson's coefficient showed a high correlation (r2 = -0.960). The intraobserver reliability value kappa resulted in a statistically high reliability (κ = 0.840). The inter-observer value indicated a fair reliability (κ = 0.640). CONCLUSIONS Our model reveals that a strong correlation between compartmental strain displacements assessed by ultrasound and the intra-compartmental pressure changes occurs. Further studies are required to prove whether this assessment is transferable to human muscle tissue. Determining the complete compartmental elasticity by ultrasound enhancement, this application may improve detection of early signs of potential compartment syndrome. Key words: compartment syndrome, intra-compartmental pressure, non-invasive diagnostic, elasticity measurement, elastography.
- Keywords
- ARTERIES/physiology *, OSCILLOMETRY *,
- MeSH
- Arteries physiology MeSH
- Cardiovascular System * MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Oscillometry * MeSH
- Elasticity * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The measurement of clot elasticity and fracture strain is carried out using a rotational rheometer with a controlled stress system. The elasticity is quantified by a shear elastic modulus and fracture strain by a critical strain (deformation) when the clot begins to break up. The results indicate a decrease of elasticity and increase of fracture strain of the clot with increasing hematocrit. Moreover, the elastic modulus of the clot is not constant but increasing with deformation.
- MeSH
- Erythrocytes physiology MeSH
- Hematocrit MeSH
- Blood Coagulation physiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Erythrocyte Count MeSH
- Elasticity MeSH
- Blood Platelets physiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
INTRODUCTION: A previous study has employed shear-wave ultrasound elastographic imaging to assess corneal rigidity in an ex-vivo porcine eye model. This study employs the same modality in vivo in a rabbit eye model in order to assess lens, ciliary body and total ocular rigidity changes following the instillation of atropine and pilocarpine. METHODS: Ten non-pigmented female rabbits were examined. Measurements of the lens, ciliary body and total ocular rigidity as well as lens thickness and anterior chamber depth were taken with the Aixplorer system (SuperSonic Imagine, Aix-en-Provence, France) with the SuperLinear™ SL 15-4 transducer in both eyes at baseline as well as after pilocarpine and atropine instillation. The IOP was also measured with the TonoPen tonometer. RESULTS: Changes in rigidity in the examined areas following atropine instillation were statistically not significant. Ciliary body rigidity was significantly increased whereas lens and total ocular rigidity were significantly reduced following pilocarpine instillation. The decrease in lens rigidity following pilocarpine was significantly associated with the respective increase in ciliary body rigidity. CONCLUSIONS: Shear-wave ultrasound elastography can detect in vivo rigidity changes in the anterior segment of the rabbit eye model and may potentially be applied in human eyes, providing useful clinical information on conditions in which rigidity changes play an important role, such as glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation syndrome or presbyopia.
- Keywords
- Ciliary body, Lens, Oxidative stress, Shear-wave elastography, Ultrasonography instruments,
- MeSH
- Atropine pharmacology MeSH
- Ciliary Body diagnostic imaging drug effects physiopathology MeSH
- Elasticity Imaging Techniques * MeSH
- Rabbits MeSH
- Miotics pharmacology MeSH
- Mydriatics pharmacology MeSH
- Lens, Crystalline diagnostic imaging drug effects physiopathology MeSH
- Pilocarpine pharmacology MeSH
- Elasticity drug effects physiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rabbits MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Atropine MeSH
- Miotics MeSH
- Mydriatics MeSH
- Pilocarpine MeSH
Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) applied to cells can induce different biological effects depending on pulse duration and field strength. One known process is the induction of apoptosis whereby nsPEFs are currently investigated as a novel cancer therapy. Another and probably related change is the breakdown of the cytoskeleton. We investigated the elasticity of rat liver epithelial cells WB-F344 in a monolayer using atomic force microscopy (AFM) with respect to the potential of cells to undergo malignant transformation or to develop a potential to metastasize. We found that the elastic modulus of the cells decreased significantly within the first 8 min after treatment with 20 pulses of 100 ns and with a field strength of 20 kV/cm but was still higher than the elasticity of their tumorigenic counterpart WB-ras. AFM measurements and immunofluorescent staining showed that the cellular actin cytoskeleton became reorganized within 5 min. However, both a colony formation assay and a cell migration assay revealed no significant changes after nsPEF treatment, implying that cells seem not to adopt malignant characteristics associated with metastasis formation despite the induced transient changes to elasticity and cytoskeleton that can be observed for up to 1 h.
- Keywords
- AFM, Actin cytoskeleton, Anchorage-independent growth, Elastic modulus, Elasticity, nsPEF,
- MeSH
- Actins metabolism MeSH
- Cell Line MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- Electricity * MeSH
- Carcinogenesis * MeSH
- Neoplasm Metastasis MeSH
- Cell Movement MeSH
- Cell Proliferation MeSH
- Elasticity * MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Actins MeSH
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Hepatic transit times measured by the contrast enhanced ultrasonography and liver elasticity were found to predict a clinically significant portal hypertension. However, these modalities we not yet sufficiently evaluated in predicting adverse clinical outcome in patients with clinically diagnosed cirrhosis (D´Amico stages > 1), having a clinically significant portal hypertension. The aim of our study was to assess the predictive power of the liver transit times and the liver elasticity on an adverse clinical outcome of clinically diagnosed cirrhosis compared with the MELD score. METHODS: The study group included 48 consecutive outpatients with cirrhosis in the 2., 3. and 4. DAmico stages. Patients with stage 4 could have jaundice, patients with other complications of portal hypertension were excluded. Transit times were measured from the time of intravenous administration of contrast agent (Sonovue) to a signal appearance in a hepatic vein (hepatic vein arrival time, HVAT) or time difference between the contrast signal in the hepatic artery and hepatic vein (hepatic transit time, HTT) in seconds. Elasticity was measured using the transient elastography (Fibroscan). The transit times and elasticity were measured at baseline and patients were followed for up for 1 year. Adverse outcome of cirrhosis was defined as the appearance of clinically apparent ascites and/or hospitalization for liver disease and/or death within 1 year. RESULTS: The mean age was 61 years, with female/male ratio 23/25. At baseline, the median Child-Pugh score was 5 (IQR 5.0-6.0), MELD 9.5 (IQR 7.6 to 12.1), median HVAT was 22 s (IQR 19-25) and HTT 6 (IQR 5-9). HTT and HVAT negatively correlated with Child-Pugh (-0.351 and -0.441, p = 0.002) and MELD (-0.479 and -0.388, p = 0.006) scores. The adverse outcome at 1-year was observed in 11 cases (22.9 %), including 6 deaths and 5 hospitalizations. Median HVAT in those with/without the adverse outcome was 20 seconds (IQR 19.3-23.5) compared with 22 s (IQR 19-26, p = 0.32). Cases with adverse outcome had significantly higher MELD (12.9 vs 8.5), Child-Pugh score (7.0 vs 5.0) and the liver elasticity (52.5 vs 21.5 kPa) (p < 0.05). The AUROC of the HVAT, liver elasticity and MELD for the prediction of the adverse outcome was 0.60 (95% CI 0.414 to 0.785), 0.767 (0.56 to 0.98) and 0.813 (0.66 to 0.97). Unlike HVAT, the liver elasticity > 35.3 kPa increased the risk of the adverse outcome 10.3-times and MELD score > 11 points 8.5-times. CONCLUSION: In patients with clinically diagnosed cirrhosis having a clinically significant portal hypertension hepatic transit times do not predict the 1-year adverse clinical outcome. However, the liver elasticity > 35.3 kPa appears clinically useful with a prognostic value comparable with MELD. KEY WORDS: clinically diagnosed cirrhosis - hepatic transit times - liver elasticity - MELD - portal hypertension.
- MeSH
- Hepatic Artery diagnostic imaging physiopathology MeSH
- Ascites etiology MeSH
- Liver Cirrhosis complications diagnostic imaging physiopathology MeSH
- Liver physiopathology MeSH
- Contrast Media MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Hypertension, Portal etiology MeSH
- Prognosis MeSH
- Elasticity MeSH
- Severity of Illness Index MeSH
- Ultrasonography MeSH
- Hepatic Veins diagnostic imaging physiopathology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Contrast Media MeSH
