Ultrasound imaging for measuring muscle and subcutaneous fat tissue thickness of the anterior thigh: A two-year longitudinal study in middle age

Abstract

Background Ultrasound (US) imaging technique is widely used in research and clinical settings to assess the morphology and morphometry of neuromusculoskeletal structures. The technique has reported validity and reliability in measuring the size of various muscles under controlled conditions. The aim of the present study was to assess anterior thigh thickness using US imaging, in a healthy cohort of middle‐aged older adults. Methods Participants included 17 healthy older adults involved in regular moderate‐vigorous activities (age range 39–66 years). US imaging scans of the anterior thighs 2 years since baseline measurements were performed. Images were analysed offline to compare US imaging measurements of muscle thickness and subcutaneous fat (SF) of the anterior thigh taken at baseline and after 2 years. Results There was no significant difference between muscle thickness measurements taken at baseline and after 2 years (mean, standard deviation; baseline = 2.80 ± 0.71 cm; follow‐up = 2.77 ± 0.72 cm, P = 0.33). There was also no significant change in SF thickness (baseline = 1.04 ± 0.41 cm; follow‐up = 1.06 ± 0.40, P = 0.33). Conclusions The results show that there was no decline in anterior thigh muscle thickness or increase in SF in the healthy cohort studied using US imaging over a 2 year period. These findings demonstrate the robustness of US imaging measurements over time.

Preliminary Analysis of Burn Degree Using Non-invasive Microwave Spiral Resonator Sensor for Clinical Applications

“…The algorithm was chosen to have an average thickness of the skin and subcutaneous adipose fat tissues based on gender and BMI data extracted from the experiment conducted by Akkus ( 20 ) is considered in the algorithm. Estimation and relationship between the skin, fat, and muscle layers based on the fundamental parameters are given in Shankar et al ( 21 ), Bueno et al ( 22 ), and Mechelli ( 23 ). Similarly, the relationship between muscle and fat has been studied by Welch et al ( 24 ).…”

Test-Retest Reliability of Ultrasonographic Measurements from the Rectus Femoris Muscle 1–5 Years after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in the Ipsilateral and Contralateral Legs: An Observational, Case-Control Study

“…As exclusion criteria for the case group, it was determined to exclude those subjects who had undergone bone-tendon-bone surgery or who had suffered any post-surgical complication such as infections, coagulation problems, ACL re-rupture, or neurological lesions. For both groups, refer to previous medical-surgical history in the lower extremities, such as fractures, ligament ruptures, arthroplasties, and/or be diagnosed with any systemic disease that may produce musculoskeletal alterations or changes in the subcutaneous and muscular cellular tissue, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or hypothyroidism [ 19 , 20 ]. Subjects with excessive muscle volume that made reliable ultrasound measurement impossible were also excluded [ 14 ].…”

“…A sample size of 38 subjects was estimated, 19 in the case group and 19 in the control group, to detect a difference equal to or greater than 3.6 mm [ 20 ] in the thickness of the RFM as the minimum detectable change and assuming a common standard deviation of 4.8 mm [ 21 ], accepting an alpha risk of 0.05 and beta risk of 0.2 in unilateral contrast. The Granmo sample size calculator, version 7.12 (Instituto Hospital del Mar de Investigaciones Médicas, Barcelona, Spain), was used.…”