title: Visualizing tendon elasticity in an ex vivo partial tear model.
abstract: Supersonic shear imaging (SSI) is evaluated as a means of visualizing changes in regional tendon elasticity caused by partial tears in a porcine model. Thirty digital flexor tendons were cut to 25% (n = 10), 50% (n = 10) and 75% (n = 10) of the tendon thickness along the deep surface. Tendon elasticity was mapped left of, centered on and right of the tear site before and after tearing from 0% to 2% strain. Shear wave speed increased at 1% (p < 0.05) and 2% (p < 0.001) strain for all regions. Deep surface shear wave speed decreased in the 25%, 50% and 75% tears (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). Computational tendon tear models were also created to investigate regional changes in strain resulting from a tear. In the computational models, strain on the deep surface decreased progressively with increasing tear size. Visualization of tendon shear wave speed was achieved in normal and partially torn tendons, indicating the potential of SSI to add tendon shear wave speed to traditional morphologic assessment of partial tears, which may improve assessment of tendon health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. Electronic address: dewall@wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Ryan J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Dewall
authors.forename: Jingfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Kenneth S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012421:Rupture / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013552:Swine; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013710:Tendons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Partial tear; Shear wave imaging; Tendon rupture; Ultrasound elastography