Dentists can provide reliable shear wave elastography measurements of the stiffness of masseter muscles: A possible scenario for a faster diagnostic process

Więckiewicz

Małysa

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Shear wave elastography (SWE) is an objective and reliable method for the assessment of muscles and internal organs. Every organ exhibits its own stiffness characteristics and hence requires individual reference values. We aimed to determine the reference values of stiffness of the masseter muscle in healthy adult individuals using SWE. We analyzed the data of 140 participants (74 men, 66 women) with a median age of 50 years. The overall mean elasticity was 10.67 ± 1.77 kPa. The average values were lower by 2.25 kPa (9.15%) in women compared to men (9.48 ± 1.47 kPa vs. 11.73 ± 1.27 kPa; p < 0.0001). The values of stiffness increased with age, with a correlation coefficient of about 0.35 and a p < 0.0001. Age was a significant influencing factor of masseter muscle stiffness. The left and right masseters had similar stiffness. We conclude that stiffness values are significantly lower in women than in men with a difference of 9%. Age significantly influences the stiffness of masseter muscle, and the values of stiffness increase significantly with age, particularly in men. However, further studies are required to determine the precise ranges of stiffness accounting for age and sex in healthy subjects and people with disorders and conditions of the masticatory system.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Determination of Reference Values of the Masseter Muscle Stiffness in Healthy Adults Using Shear Wave Elastography

Więckiewicz

Małysa

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…Measurements were validated using an elasticity QA Phantom model 049A (Computerized Imaging Reference Systems, Inc, Norfolk, VA, USA). Inter-and intraobserver agreements between the stiffness measurements of the masseter muscle performed using the Aixplorer Ultimate device were rated excellent and confirmed diagnostic accuracy of this method [29]; however, in this study, the calculation of the intraobserver agreement was not included.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…Another advantage of shear-wave elastography is its ability to identify trigger points and help to make a diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome [28]. Among other advantages of shear-wave elastography, it is its simplicity that allows dentists and other specialists to monitor disease response to treatment [29].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stiffness of the Masseter Muscle in Children—Establishing the Reference Values in the Pediatric Population Using Shear-Wave Elastography

Pawluś

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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In children, the quality and muscle function are altered in many pathologic conditions, including temporomandibular disorders. Although several methods have been used to evaluate muscle tonus, none became a golden standard. Moreover, the masseter muscle characteristics in children have not been investigated to date. This study aimed to measure the stiffness of the masseter muscle using shear-wave elastography in healthy children. We enrolled 30 healthy children (mean age 10.87 ± 3.38 years). The stiffness of masseter muscles was measured with shear wave elastography. Stiffness for the total sample was 6.37 ± 0.77 kPa. A comparison of the measurements did not show significant differences between the right and the left masseter muscles (left—6.47 ± 0.78 kPa; right—6.24 ± 0.76 kPa; p = 0.3546). A significant difference was seen between boys and girls (boys—5.94 ± 0.50 kPa; girls—6.63 ± 0.80; p = 0.0006). Shear-wave elastography is a promising diagnostic tool. It may help to detect changes in the stiffness of the masseter muscle and draw attention to pathological processes within the jaw muscles. Directions for further research shall include determining stiffness values in pathological conditions and the impact of biological and functional factors on the stiffness of the masseter muscle.

Assessment of the masseter stiffness in patients during conservative therapy for masticatory muscle disorders with shear wave elastography

Seweryn

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

et al. 2022

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Background The complex structure of the stomatognathic system plays a vital role in chewing, digestion, speaking, breathing, facial expression and swallowing. Its complexity is the primary reason for creating multidisciplinary teams to manage temporomandibular disorders (TMD). We aimed to assess the masseter stiffness in patients undergoing conservative therapy for masticatory muscle disorders and evaluate the efficacy of manual therapy and stabilization occlusal splint in the treatment of masticatory muscle disorders. Methods This uncontrolled prospective cohort study included 35 patients with masticatory muscle disorders. The study lasted for eight weeks. The patients were treated with manual therapy and stabilization occlusal splint and evaluated using shear wave elastography of the masseter muscles and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to assess pain, anxiety, quality of sleep, satisfaction with life and perceived stress. Results After the treatment, the stiffness of both masseter muscles decreased significantly (by 4.21 kPa). The patients reported a significant reduction in pain. At baseline, the median scores ranged from 5 to 8; after treatment, they ranged from 0 to 1 (p < 0.0001). The patients also reported significant improvement in terms of all patient-reported outcome measures. The reduction in stiffness corresponded to the improvement in pain and PROMs, as shown by correlations which were insignificant for all measures. Conclusions Conservative therapy of masticatory muscle disorders involving manual therapy and stabilization occlusal splint is effective. It reduces the masseter stiffness as objectively shown in shear wave elastography and improves subjective PROMs scores, including numerical pain assessment and selected questionnaires. Shear wave elastography has the potential for broad application in clinical practice to monitor masticatory muscle disorders treatment effects due to its objectivity and non-invasive character. Further research is recommended on larger patient populations and longer follow-up. Trial registration The study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03844854). First posted date: 19/02/2019.