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Measuring skeletal muscle morphology and architecture with imaging modalities in children with cerebral palsy: a scoping review
Author(s) -
Williams Sîan A,
Stott N Susan,
Valentine Jane,
Elliott Catherine,
Reid Siobhán L
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.14714
Subject(s) - muscle architecture , cerebral palsy , medicine , magnetic resonance imaging , physical medicine and rehabilitation , ultrasound , skeletal muscle , psycinfo , physical therapy , modalities , medline , radiology , anatomy , social science , sociology , political science , law
Aim To investigate the use of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methodologies to assess muscle morphology and architecture in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method A scoping review was conducted with systematic searches of Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycInfo for all original articles published up to January 2019 utilizing ultrasound and/or MRI to determine morphological and architectural properties of lower limb skeletal muscle in children with CP. Results Eighty papers used ultrasound ( n =44), three‐dimensional ultrasound ( n =16), or MRI ( n =20) to measure at least one muscle parameter in children and adolescents with CP. Most research investigated single muscles, predominantly the medial gastrocnemius muscle, included children classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I ( n =62) and II ( n =65), and assessed fascicle length ( n =35) and/or muscle volume ( n =35). Only 21 papers reported reliability of imaging techniques. Forty‐six papers assessed measures of Impairment ( n =39), Activity ( n =24), and Participation ( n =3). Interpretation Current research study design, variation in methodology, and preferences towards investigation of isolated muscles may oversimplify the complexities of CP muscle but provide a foundation for the understanding of the changes in muscle parameters in children with CP. What this paper adds Current evidence is biased towards the medial gastrocnemius muscle and more functionally able children with cerebral palsy (CP). Variations in imaging techniques and joint positioning limit comparisons between studies. Clinimetric testing of parameters of CP muscle is not always considered. Assessment of parameter(s) of muscle with measures of participation is sparse.