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Home / Equine Research Bank / Skeletal Radiol / Detection of small tendon lesions by sonoelastographic visua...
Skeletal radiology2012; 41(9); 1073-1079; doi: 10.1007/s00256-011-1349-2

Detection of small tendon lesions by sonoelastographic visualization of strain profile differences: initial experiences.

Abstract: To assess the capability of a commercial sonoelastography system to detect small tendon lesions by quantitative analysis of elastogram profiles. Methods: Strips of equine digital flexor tendons were used to model small human tendons. Two tendons were examined. From each tendon, six unmodified tendon strips (controls) and six tendon strips with a central defect of the same tendons were compared. The tendon strips were placed under a physiological tensile strain of 5%. Sonoelastographic visualization of the strain profile was performed. Regions of interest (ROI) were defined left and right of the tendon defects. Average tissue strains in these ROI were compared with tissue strain in controls. Results: In the first series of experiments, there was a significant (p = 0.011) difference in the strain profile in regions proximal and distal to the tendon lesions compared with the respective tendon areas in the control tendon strips. In a second series of experiments, similar trends were observed, but the differences were not significant (p = 0.824). Conclusions: Even under carefully controlled experimental conditions using computational post-processing of sonoelastograms, tendon lesions could only be partially detected within elastograms from a clinical sonoelastography system. The ability to detect differences in some strain profiles indicates that tensile sonoelastography has the potential to identify small tendon lesions (such as those in the hand), but that substantial improvements with respect to quantitative analysis are required to make such measures diagnostically relevant.
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Publication Date: 2012-01-05 PubMed ID: 22218832DOI: 10.1007/s00256-011-1349-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research investigates the ability of a commercial sonoelastography system to identify small tendon lesions. The results indicate that while this method has the potential for detecting such issues, improvement in quantitative analysis is required for it to be diagnostically relevant.

Methods

  • The researchers used strips of equine digital flexor tendons to model small human tendons. They studied two tendons in total.
  • From each tendon, they prepared six normal tendon strips (controls) and six ones with a central defect for comparison.
  • All these strips were subjected to a physiological tensile strain of 5%, reproducing the situations like strain experienced by the tendons in the body.
  • To visualize the strain profile of these tendon models, the researchers used Sonoelastography, a type of medical imaging technique that maps the elastic characteristics of soft tissue.
  • Regions of interest (ROIs) were demarcated on either side of the tendon defects. The strain experienced by the tissue in these ROIs was then compared with the strain in the control (unmodified) tendons.

Results

  • In their initial tests, the researchers noticed a significant difference (p = 0.011) in the strain profiles of regions near the tendon lesions compared to those of the control tendon strips.
  • However, in a second round of tests, similar patterns were observed, but the differences in strain were not significant (p = 0.824).

Conclusions

  • Despite the controlled experimental conditions and computational post-processing of sonoelastograms, the detection of tendon lesions was only partial.
  • The data suggested that the ability of sonoelastography to distinguish differences in certain strain profiles does highlight its potential for detecting small tendon lesions, such as those which could occur in the hand.
  • However, for this method to reach a point of diagnostic relevance, substantial improvements are required, especially in the field of quantitative analysis.

Cite This Article

APA
Buck AR, Verstraete N, Li Y, Schweizer A, Snedeker JG, Buck FM. (2012). Detection of small tendon lesions by sonoelastographic visualization of strain profile differences: initial experiences. Skeletal Radiol, 41(9), 1073-1079. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-011-1349-2

Publication

Skeletal radiology
ISSN: 1432-2161
NlmUniqueID: 7701953
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 41
Issue: 9
Pages: 1073-1079

Researcher Affiliations

Buck, Aline R
  • Department of Radiology, Orthopedic University Hospital Balgrist, Zurich, Switzerland.
Verstraete, Nina
    Li, Yufei
      Schweizer, Andreas
        Snedeker, Jess G
          Buck, Florian M

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Elastic Modulus
            • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / methods
            • Horses
            • In Vitro Techniques
            • Pilot Projects
            • Reproducibility of Results
            • Sensitivity and Specificity
            • Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging
            • Tendon Injuries / physiopathology
            • Tendons / diagnostic imaging
            • Tendons / physiopathology
            • Tensile Strength

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 4 times.
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