Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography of the lumbar multifidus muscle. Comparison of two different modalities.
METHODS
An operator-blinded dual modality trial of measurement of lumbar multifidus muscle cross-sectional area was performed.


OBJECTIVE
To compare two imaging modalities used for measurement of the lumbar multifidus muscle.


METHODS
Ten normal female subjects aged 21-31 years were imaged on two separate days using magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound imaging. Bilateral measurements were made at each vertebral level from L2-S1.


RESULTS
No significant difference was demonstrated between cross-sectional area measurements made with the two different modalities. Measurements of multifidus were symmetrical between left and right sides of the spine. For both modalities, a significant difference was demonstrated in the cross-sectional area of multifidus between each vertebral level from L2-S1.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study indicated that if a strict protocol for ultrasound imaging is adhered to, real-time ultrasound imaging can be used to document muscle size in young adults. Further studies are required to validate the technique in older subjects and in different conditions.
Hides
J A
JA
Department of Physiotherapy, Mater Misericordiae Public Hospitals, Brisbane, Australia.
Richardson
C A
CA
Jull
G A
GA
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012016:Reference Values; D014463:Ultrasonography