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Effect of scanning level and muscle condition on ultrasonographic cross‐sectional measurements of the anterior masseter muscle
Author(s) -
Bertram S.,
Bodner G.,
Rudisch A.,
Brandlmaier I.,
Emshoff R.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of oral rehabilitation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.991
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2842
pISSN - 0305-182X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2842.2003.01052.x
Subject(s) - masseter muscle , reproducibility , medicine , ultrasonography , magnetic resonance imaging , orthodontics , anatomy , radiology , mathematics , statistics
summary With the disadvantage of computed tomography showing cumulative biological effects and magnetic resonance imaging posing a problem in clinical availability and cost, several authors described the technique of ultrasonography to measure non‐invasively local cross‐sectional dimensions (LCSDs) of masseter muscle sites. However only few studies addressed the issue of ‘technique‐related factors for intra‐ and inter‐observer reliability’ to gain more consistent testing and diagnosis. The purpose of the present study was to determine (1) whether the scanning level and/or the muscle condition may affect LCSD measurements and (2) whether measurements made at identical levels may be reproducible. The study included 35 subjects with signs and symtoms of temporomandibular diorders. Bilateral ultrasonographic investigation was performed with a linear (B‐scan) 7ḃ5 Mhz small‐part transducer to register LCSDs of the anterior masseter muscle on three different levels. Scans were made on the relaxed and contracted muscle. Measurements were made in two sessions with a time interval of at least 5 min. Data were analysed for reproducibility by using the intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) and the method error (ME). Scanning level and muscle condition had a significant effect on muscle measurements ( P = 0ḃ000). There was no difference in LCSD between the right and left muscle ( P = 0ḃ531). Measurements recorded at a given site were consistent across the testing sessions ( P = 0ḃ058). The scanning level with highest reproducibility was halfway between the origin and insertion (ICC = 0ḃ92; ME = 6ḃ2%). The data suggest that ultrasonography is a reliable method for measuring LSCDs of the anterior masseter muscle.