Shear‐wave elastography of canine patellar tendons in healthy dogs and the influence of stifle joint angle

Abstract

Elastography is a sonographic modality that measures tissue stiffness, a mechanical property of tissues, and a biomarker for disease. Canine musculoskeletal application to the patellar tendon has been limited to semiqualitative strain elastography. This prospective study aimed to quantitatively evaluate patellar tendon stiffness using shear‐wave elastography with a color map superimposed over the tendon, a propagation map for quality control, and measurements at specific regions of interest in 16 clinically normal sedated dogs weighing 25 kg or greater. Tendon stiffness using shear‐wave elastography (SWE) was assessed at different stifle angles and in three regions to determine if angle and location affected stiffness. All dogs were screened with general and orthopedic exams, lateral stifle radiographs, and patellar tendon 2D ultrasound. Shear‐wave elastography was performed from a long axis at various stifle angles at the proximal, middle, and distal tendon segments. Quality diagnostic SWE results varied significantly with stifle angle, and 150° of extension was the only angle found to be clinically useful based on the ease of obtaining measurable results and a quality control propagation wave. Patellar tendons were primarily stiff with a red color elastogram. The proximal and middle segments, measured at various angles, had a mean SWE velocity of 7.32 ± 0.90 m/s. Tendon stiffness did not differ along tendon length when measured in greater extension. However, stiffness decreased in the middle segment of the tendon at 150° when compared with 120°. This study establishes a quantitative baseline of normal patellar tendon stiffness to compare with pathologic states.