Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of ultrasound imaging for measuring quadriceps muscle and non-contractile tissue thickness of the anterior thigh

Background: the aim of this study was to compare the echotexture of patients with soleus muscle injury and age matched controls. Methods: a sample of 62 athletes was recruited at the private clinic and was divided in two group: a healthy group (n = 31) and a soleus pathology group whose athletes had soleus muscle injury, located in the central tendon (n = 31). The muscle thickness (MTh), echointensity (EI) and echovariation (EV) were analyzed. An intra-rater reliability test (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient-ICC) was performed in order to analyze the reliability of the values of the measurements. Results: Sociodemographic variables did not show statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Ultrasound imaging measurements who reported statistically significant differences were EI (p = 0.001) and standard deviation (SD) (p = 0.001). MTh and EV variables did not show statistically significant differences (p = 0.381 and p = 0.364, respectively). Moreover, reliability values for the MTh (ICC = 0.911), EI (ICC = 0.982), SD (ICC = 0.955) and EV (ICC = 0.963). Based on these results the intra-rater reliability was considered excellent. Conclusion: Athletes with a central tendon injury of soleus muscle showed a lower EI when they were compared to healthy athletes. The echogenicity showed by the quantitative ultrasound imaging measurement may be a more objective parameter for the diagnosis and follow-up the soleus muscle injuries.

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Ultrasound imaging of the quadriceps muscle in elderly athletes and untrained men

Muscle & Nerve ◽

10.1002/mus.880140607 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 527-533 ◽

Cited By ~ 86

Author(s):

Sarianna Sipila ◽

Harri Suominen

Keyword(s):

Ultrasound Imaging ◽

Quadriceps Muscle ◽

Elderly Athletes

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Reliability of measuring the medial knee joint space using ultrasound imaging

10.36879/jcmi.18.000108 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 1-4

Keyword(s):

Physical Therapy ◽

Knee Joint ◽

Ultrasound Imaging ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Glenohumeral Joint ◽

Joint Space ◽

Rater Reliability ◽

Medial Knee ◽

Operator Experience ◽

Bony Landmarks

Background: The use of ultrasound to perform quantitative musculoskeletal (MSK) measurements requires reliability among different providers with varied levels of experience and training. Recent studies have shown that physical therapists (PT) can reliably measure the glenohumeral joint space using ultrasound imaging (USI) and operator experience or well defined training protocols influences the reliability. Few studies have reported the reliability of medial knee gap measurements with USI. Objective: Evaluate inter- and intra-rater reliability of a novel approach to measuring knee gapping using experienced and trained novice clinicians. Design: Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability study Setting: Physical therapy program Participants: Novice researchers were three upper-year Doctor of Physical Therapy students. Experienced researchers were two PT certified in MSK USI with eight years of experience. Methods: A total of 166 images of two subject’s medial knee joint gaps were captured in resting by a single experience researcher. Three novice researchers, who underwent a three-hour training protocol and two experienced researchers measured the images individually. Measurements were taken using standardized bony landmarks and internal calipers. All researchers were blinded to the subjects and results. Main outcome measures: Data was analyzed using two-way ICC mixed-model single measurement, SEM run for all researchers compared with experienced researcher one. Results: An excellent degree of reliability was found for both intra-rater and inter-rater measurements for Novice One and a good degree of reliability was found between Experienced One and Novice Two and Three. Conclusion: Both experienced and novice researchers attained a clinically significant ICC when compared to Experienced One. An accurate and reliable measurement of the medial knee joint gap maybe useful for further studies and help with diagnosis of joint pathologies. Level of study: IIB

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8THIGH MUSCLE AND SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE THICKNESS MEASURED USING ULTRASOUND IMAGING IN OLDER FEMALES LIVING IN EXTENDED CARE: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Age and Ageing ◽

10.1093/ageing/afy042.04 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 47 (suppl_2) ◽

pp. ii2-ii3

Keyword(s):

Ultrasound Imaging ◽

Subcutaneous Tissue ◽

Tissue Thickness ◽

Extended Care ◽

Preliminary Study

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Intra-rater reliability of dynamic ultrasound imaging measurement of median nerve longitudinal movement in chronic whiplash associated disorders II

Physiotherapy ◽

10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.546 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 101 ◽

pp. e339-e340

Author(s):

K. Edeni ◽

H. Ringdal ◽

S. Karanasios ◽

N. Heneghan ◽

A. Rushton

Keyword(s):

Median Nerve ◽

Ultrasound Imaging ◽

Rater Reliability ◽

Dynamic Ultrasound ◽

Whiplash Associated Disorders ◽

Chronic Whiplash

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Validity of Ultrasound Imaging Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Measuring Anterior Thigh Muscle, Subcutaneous Fat, and Fascia Thickness

Methods and Protocols ◽

10.3390/mps2030058 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 58 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Mechelli ◽

Arendt-Nielsen ◽

Stokes ◽

Agyapong-Badu

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Thickness Measurement ◽

Thigh Muscle ◽

Poor Correlation ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Anterior Thigh ◽

Mri Measurements ◽

Contractile Tissue

The aim of the present study was to determine the validity of ultrasound (US) imaging versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for measuring anterior thigh muscle, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and fascia thickness. Twenty healthy, moderately active participants (aged 49.1 ± 9.74 [36–64] years), underwent imaging of the anterior thigh, using ultrasound and MRI modalities on the same day. Images were analyzed offline to assess the level of agreement between US and MRI measurements. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed an excellent relationship between US imaging and MRI for measuring muscle (r = 0.99, p < 0.01), SAT (r = 0.99, p < 0.01), and non-contractile tissue (SAT combined with perimuscular fascia) thickness (r = 0.99, p < 0.01). Perimuscular fascia thickness measurement showed a poor correlation between modalities (r = 0.39, p < 0.01). Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC3,1) also showed excellent correlation of the measurements with ICC = 0.99 for muscle thickness, SAT, and non-contractile tissue, but not for perimuscular fascia, which showed poor agreement ICC = 0.36. Bland and Altman plots demonstrated excellent agreement between US imaging and MRI measurements. Criterion validity was demonstrated for US imaging against MRI, for measuring thickness of muscle and SAT, but not perimuscular fascia alone on the anterior thigh. The US imaging technique is therefore applicable for research and clinical purposes for muscle and SAT.

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