Quantitative Ultrasound Imaging Pixel Analysis of the Intrinsic Plantar Muscle Tissue between Hemiparesis and Contralateral Feet in Post-Stroke Patients

Abstract

Quantitative ultrasound imaging of the muscle tissue may be applied in the neurology field, due to B-mode grayscale pixels values could be used as potential biomarkers for disease progression and intervention effects in poststroke patients. Thus, the study aim was to compare and analyze the ultrasound imaging B-mode pixels differences between the intrinsic plantar muscles cross-sectional area (CSA) in hemiparetic and contralateral feet from poststroke patients by means of the Image J software. A case-control design and a convenience sampling method were used in order to recruit 22 feet from 11 poststroke patients. This total sample was divided into 11 hemiparetic feet and 11 contralateral feet. The Image J software was used in order to evaluate the interface distance, CSA as well as measure the pixels mean, standard deviation (SD) and count from all offline images in the flexor digitorum brevis, abductor hallucis (AbH), and flexor hallucis brevis muscles. Statistically significant differences (p = 0.003) were only shown for the pixels count in the AbH muscle. The rest of outcome measurements did not show any statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Therefore, B-mode ultrasound imaging Image J software differences for the pixels count reduction were shown in the AbH muscle between hemiparetic and contralateral feet from poststroke patients. Further studies are necessary in order to apply our findings as potential biomarkers during the stroke disease course.

Quantitative Ultrasound Changes in Echotexture and Functional Parameters after a Multicomponent Training Program in Pre-Frailty Individuals: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Major differences were observed in the intervention group compared to the control, but improvements in both could be explained by the increase in training levels and maintenance of physical activity, respectively. Specifically, muscle echointensity has been proposed as a possible biomarker to predict frailty, detecting intramuscular adipose tissue infiltration or "myoesteatosis", as well as identifying intramyocellular lipid droplet characteristics in degenerative conditions such as sarcopenia, neurodegenerative diseases or myopathies [19,23,33,45,46]. Similar findings were reported by previous authors who considered EI a useful parameter in assessing intramuscular content changes with aging; however, no previous studies have researched the differences between pre-frail groups after a multicomponent intervention [24,47,48].…”

“…Finally, the echotexture of the tissue was evaluated by quantitative analysis of pixels on the RF at 50% displaying a histogram of the pixels' distribution. Afterwards, EI and EV of the tissue were calculated counting 2500 pixels (50 × 50) in a rectangular range of interest (RF-ROI; Figure 2D) placed in the center of the RF, below its central aponeuroses, in order to reduce the increase in reflection from hiperechogenic connective tissue, at 1 cm deep using the ultrasound devices' scale bar from the lateral side of the extracted images as a reference [20,23,[32][33][34]. Echointensity was registered as the mean value of the ROI histogram while EV was calculated using the previous method described by Ríos et al that uses the standard deviation (SD) and mean value of intensity (EI) in the ROI (EV = SD/EI × 100) [23].…”

“…Echointensity was registered as the mean value of the ROI histogram while EV was calculated using the previous method described by Ríos et al that uses the standard deviation (SD) and mean value of intensity (EI) in the ROI (EV = SD/EI × 100) [23]. In addition, the mean of three repeated values for each ROI was also employed to calculate EV and EI [23,33]. of the distance between the greater trochanter and the intercondylar notch of the knee; (B), RF-TH at 50% of the distance between the anterior superior iliac spine and the superior edge of the patella; (C), RF-CSA at 65% of the distance between the anterior superior iliac spine and the superior edge of the patella; (D), RF-ROI at 50% of the distance between the anterior superior iliac spine and the superior edge of the patella for the extraction of echotextural variables (echointensity and echovariation).…”

Effect of Sit-to-Stand Training Combined with Taping on Spasticity, Strength, Gait Speed and Quality of Life in Patients with Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In addition, a stroke patient with spasticity finds it difficult to control posture, and due to the maintenance of a continuous muscle contraction state, it is difficult to induce proper muscle strength and to perform other movements [15][16][17]. Previous studies reported that spasticity causes morphological changes in muscle thickness in stroke patients [18,19]. Pharmacotherapeutic agents [20], transcutaneous electrical stimulation [21], taping [22], and other therapeutic modalities can be employed to alleviate the intensity of spasticity in stroke patients.…”

<p>Evaluation of Postural Stability and Transverse Abdominal Muscle Activity in Overweight Post-Stroke Patients: A Prospective, Observational Study</p>

“…7 Motor functions are more severely affected, and patients have many long-term musculoskeletal disorders. 8,9 The patients' quality of life decreases rapidly due to the reduced possibilities of independent functioning, primarily mobility and self-service related to personal hygiene. 10 This is primarily due to postural instability, which is understood not only as of the maintenance of balance in a standing position but also as the ability to recover balance despite the action of external destabilizing stimuli.…”