DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND - ITS USE IN THE EVALUATION OF MUSCLE

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 65  (3) , 129-131
Abstract
A noninvasive quantitative way of measuring muscle with a specially-designed digital ultrasound scanner was described. Reliability and reproducibility of echo amplitude were determined in 16 normal male volunteers, 10 runners and 6 non-runners. Echo amplitudes were recorded from the quadriceps femoris muscle. The muscle was scanned at mid-thigh in a relaxed state with 18.degree. flexion and in an isometrically contracted state with the leg in full extension. Echo amplitudes obtained in the non-runner group were: mean value of the muscle in the relaxed state (174.9 .+-. 30.8) and mean value of the muscle in the contracted state (121.8 .+-. 31.4). The difference in these values (53.1) was significant at P < 0.05. Echo amplitudes for runners were: mean value of the muscle in the relaxed state (146.6 .+-. 39.2) and mean value of the muscle in the contracted state (107.1 .+-. 30.1). The difference in these values (39.5) was significant at P < -0.01. Values of echo amplitudes are reproducible; there is a statistically significant difference in the mean amplitudes of muscle in a contracted and relaxed state; while the difference between runner and non-runner muscle is not statistically significant (P > 0.1), there is a trend toward significance. Because ultrasound amplitude is a function of tissue structure, this technique may provide a noninvasive method for quantifying muscle collagen and fat.