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Shear wave elastography of the median nerve: A mechanical study
Author(s) -
Schrier Verena J.M.M.,
Lin Jason,
Gregory Adriana,
Thoreson Andrew R.,
Alizad Azra,
Amadio Peter C.,
Fatemi Mostafa
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.26863
Subject(s) - elasticity (physics) , median nerve , elastography , medicine , carpal tunnel syndrome , ultrasound , magnetic resonance elastography , cadaver , biomedical engineering , anatomy , materials science , surgery , radiology , composite material
Background Shear wave elastography (SWE) shows promise in peripheral neuropathy evaluation but has potential limitations due to tissue size and heterogeneity. We tested SWE sensitivity to elasticity change and the effect of probe position in a median nerve cadaver model. Methods Ten specimens were used to measure median nerve elasticity under increasing loads using SWE and indentation. Measurements were compared using repeated‐measures analysis of variance. Results Indentation and SWE‐based longitudinal nerve elasticity increased with tensile loading ( P < .01), showing a similar relationship. Acquisition in a transverse plane showed lower values compared with longitudinal measurements, mostly under higher loads ( P = .03), as did postdissection elasticity ( P = .02). Elasticity did not change when measured proximal to the carpal tunnel. Conclusions Longitudinal SWE is sensitive to changes in median nerve elasticity. Measuring elasticity of peripheral nerves noninvasively could elucidate intra‐neural pathology related to compression neuropathies, and proof to be of added value as a diagnostic or prognostic tool.