Shear Wave Elastography for Detecting Calf Muscle Stiffness: An Effective Tool for Assessing Sarcopenia

Abstract

Objectives To explore the feasibility of shear wave elastography for evaluating sarcopenia. Methods The shear wave velocities (SWV) of the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus were measured in 130 subjects in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2021 to June 2022. Consistency was evaluated in 20 cases using the intraclass correlation coefficient. According to the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia（AWGS） diagnostic criteria, the patients were divided into a healthy and a sarcopenia group. The differences in SWV between the two groups were compared, and their correlation between calf muscles and muscle mass, grip strength, and pace were analyzed. The diagnostic cutoff value of calf muscle SWV for sarcopenia was obtained using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and the diagnostic efficacy of different ROC curves was compared. Results The SWV inter‐group and intra‐group correlation coefficients of the three lower limbs muscles were all greater than 0.85. Moreover, the corresponding SWV in the sarcopenia group were significantly smaller than those in the healthy control group (P < .05). Further, SWV were positively correlated with the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), grip strength, and gait speed. Finally, the SWV of the anterior tibialis and medial gastrocnemius muscles were 3.02 and 2.26 m/s, respectively, and their diagnostic efficacy for sarcopenia did not differ significantly (Z = 0.190, P = .8497). Conclusion SWE can be used to detect the hardness of the anterior tibialis and medial gastrocnemius, calculate their muscle mass as an effective tool to evaluate sarcopenia.

Human foot force reveals different balance control strategies between healthy younger and older adults

“…This finding suggests diminished intrinsic muscle stiffness in older adults, which is potentially indicative of muscle strength loss or sarcopenia. Agreeing with this finding, previous work found reduced structural stiffness in the triceps surae, tibialis anterior, quadriceps, and hamstrings in older adults (37–39). Some of these studies further found that decreased muscle stiffness was related to lower muscle mass and increased rate of sarcopenia (38, 39).…”

“…Agreeing with this finding, previous work found reduced structural stiffness in the triceps surae, tibialis anterior, quadriceps, and hamstrings in older adults (37)(38)(39). Some of these studies further found that decreased muscle stiffness was related to lower muscle mass and increased rate of sarcopenia (38,39). Remarkably, the larger antisymmetric component observed in older adults suggests a compensatory use of neural feedback to offset this decline in strength and/or stiffness.…”

Characterization of Flexor Digitorum Superficialis Muscle Stiffness Using Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography and MyotonPRO: A Cross-Sectional Study Investigating the Correlation between Different Approaches

“…Shear waves are generated into the tissue by acoustic radiation force, and then the velocity of wave propagation is estimated and used for elasticity calculation [19,[21][22][23]. Most previous studies have emphasized measuring the stiffness of the musculotendinous structures of the lower extremities in the context of sports medicine [24][25][26][27] and certain diseases [28][29][30][31]. On the other hand, a few research studies applying the method to the upper limb muscles have been reported [32][33][34][35].…”

A Few Considerations of Using Shear Wave Sonoelastography to Discriminate Muscle Stiffness in Patients With Sarcopenia

“…To the Editor: We read with great interest regarding a recently published article titled "Shear Wave Elastography for Detecting Calf Muscle Stiffness an Effective Tool for Assessing Sarcopenia." 1 The authors included 65 healthy controls and 65 patients with sarcopenia, confirmed by the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) diagnostic criteria. 2 Shear wave sonoelastography had been applied on stiffness assessment of the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles.…”