Bedside ultrasound is a practical measurement tool for assessing muscle mass

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the intra- and inter-reliability and the ease of measuring the quadriceps muscle thickness using bedside ultrasound.MethodsThis is a prospective, observational study. The assessment of quadriceps muscle thickness was performed at two reference points and was quantified using portable B-mode ultrasound in two healthy volunteers. For standardization of measurements and validation of image collections, the team was trained through theoretical and practical classes, with a 6-hour workload.ResultsA total of 112 images were examined by the coach and compared with the trainees. Pearson's correlation analysis found an excellent relationship between the coach and all trainees (R2 > 0.90). The best association was between the coach and the dietitians (R2: 0.99; p < 0.001), and the worst association was between the coach and the medical trainees (R2: 0.92; p < 0.001). In the Bland-Altman comparison, the highest error rate found between coach and trainees was 5.12% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.64-12.37), and the lowest was 1.01% (95%CI 0.72 - 2.58); the highest bias of the values described was -0.12 ± 0.19, and the lowest was -0.01 ± 0.04.ConclusionThe data analyzed showed a good correlation between the measurements made by the coach and trainees, indicating that ultrasound of the quadriceps muscle is a viable and easily applicable tool.

Point of Care Quantitative Assessment of Muscle Health in Older Individuals: An Investigation of Quantitative Muscle Ultrasound and Electrical Impedance Myography Techniques

“…These are very similar to a recent study examining reliability for rectus femoris measurements [17]. Multiple other publications have reported similar results for anterior thigh imaging [18,19,20,21]. The intra- and inter-rater agreement for EI in the current study (0.87–0.96) aligned with previous publications.…”

Measuring Muscle Mass and Strength in Obesity: a Review of Various Methods

“…The reflection, received by the transducer, is converted into electrical signals and then visualized on a monitor [ 53 ]. The ultrasound is a non-invasive, fast and inexpensive tool [ 53 , 54 ]. Alterations in the muscle mass can also be measured with US [ 55 ].…”

Validity of Ultrasound Imaging Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Measuring Anterior Thigh Muscle, Subcutaneous Fat, and Fascia Thickness

“…Quadriceps atrophy also occurs early and rapidly during critical illness [4,5]. The accurate, objective assessment of atrophy is a potentially powerful tool for research and clinical applications if a method is valid [6,7,8,9], and the present paper addresses this topic. Ultrasound (US) imaging provides an accurate, safe, and noninvasive tool, applicable in field environments with successful application in research and clinical practice to evaluate soft tissue structures of the musculoskeletal system.…”