title: Application of real-time sonoelastography in musculoskeletal diseases related to physical medicine and rehabilitation.
abstract: Real-time sonoelastography is a recently developed ultrasound-based technique that evaluates tissue elasticity in real time, and it is based on the principle that the compression of tissue produces a strain (displacement) that is lower in hard tissue and higher in soft tissue. Real-time sonoelastography provides information on tissue elasticity, in addition to the shape or vascularity, which is obtained via B-mode ultrasound. Similar to B-mode ultrasound, freehand manipulation with the transducer and real-time visualization are now available for real-time sonoelastography in actual clinical practice. Tissue elasticity not only varies among different tissues but also seems to reflect disease-induced alternations in tissue properties. Real-time sonoelastography was recently applied to the normal and pathologic tissues in muscle and tendon disorders, and it showed promising results and new potentialities. Therefore, it is expected to be a useful modality for providing novel diagnostic information in musculoskeletal diseases because tissue elasticity is closely related to its pathology. It can also be used as a research tool to provide insight into the biomechanics and pathophysiology of tissue abnormality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea.
authors.forename: Gi-Young
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Dong Rak
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D002356:Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014103:Torticollis / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography