title: A possible clinical tool to depict muscle elasticity mapping using magnetic resonance elastography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Characterization of muscle elasticity will improve the diagnosis and treatment of muscle disorders. The purpose is to compare the use of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and ultrasound elastography (USE) techniques to elucidate the MRE cartography of thigh muscles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both elastography techniques were performed on 5 children and 7 adults. Quantitative (MRE) and qualitative (USE) cartographies of muscle elasticity, as a function of muscle state and age, were obtained with shear waves and manual compression of the ultrasound probe, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Similar cartographies of muscle elasticity were obtained with the 2 methods. The combination of both imaging techniques results in an improved depiction of the physiological changes associated with muscle state and age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the feasibility of MRE for use as a clinical tool in the characterization of neuromuscular pathologies and for assessing the efficacy of specific treatments for muscle related diseases.
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics and Bioengineery Laboratory, UMR CNRS 7338, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Centre de Recherches de Royallieu, BP 20529, 60205 Compiègne, Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Laëtitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Debernard
authors.forename: Ludovic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Robert
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Charleux
authors.forename: Sabine F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Bensamoun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004548:Elasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult