title: Lumbar annulus fibrosus biomechanical characterization in healthy children by ultrasound shear wave elastography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intervertebral disc (IVD) is key to spine biomechanics, and it is often involved in the cascade leading to spinal deformities such as idiopathic scoliosis, especially during the growth spurt. Recent progress in elastography techniques allows access to non-invasive measurement of cervical IVD in adults; the aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and reliability of shear wave elastography in healthy children lumbar IVD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Elastography measurements were performed in 31 healthy children (6-17 years old), in the annulus fibrosus and in the transverse plane of L5-S1 or L4-L5 IVD. Reliability was determined by three experienced operators repeating measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average shear wave speed in IVD was 2.9 ± 0.5 m/s; no significant correlations were observed with sex, age or body morphology. Intra-operator repeatability was 5.0 % while inter-operator reproducibility was 6.2 %. Intraclass correlation coefficient was higher than 0.9 for each operator.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Feasibility and reliability of IVD shear wave elastography were demonstrated. The measurement protocol is compatible with clinical routine and the results show the method's potential to give an insight into spine deformity progression and early detection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Intervertebral disc mechanical properties are key to spine biomechanics • Feasibility of shear wave elastography in children lumbar disc was assessed • Measurement was fast and reliable • Elastography could represent a novel biomarker for spine pathologies.
authors.affiliation: Arts et Metiers ParisTech, LBM/Institut de Biomecanique Humaine Georges Charpak, 151 bd de l'Hopital, 75013, Paris, France. c.vergari@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7049-2405
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vergari
authors.affiliation: Arts et Metiers ParisTech, LBM/Institut de Biomecanique Humaine Georges Charpak, 151 bd de l'Hopital, 75013, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Guillaume
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics, Armand Trousseau Hospital, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, 75571, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vialle
authors.affiliation: Institut Langevin, Ondes et Images, ESPCI ParisTech, CNRS UMR7587, INSERM U979, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gennisson
authors.affiliation: Institut Langevin, Ondes et Images, ESPCI ParisTech, CNRS UMR7587, INSERM U979, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Mickael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tanter
authors.affiliation: Arts et Metiers ParisTech, LBM/Institut de Biomecanique Humaine Georges Charpak, 151 bd de l'Hopital, 75013, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dubousset
authors.affiliation: Arts et Metiers ParisTech, LBM/Institut de Biomecanique Humaine Georges Charpak, 151 bd de l'Hopital, 75013, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rouch
authors.affiliation: Arts et Metiers ParisTech, LBM/Institut de Biomecanique Humaine Georges Charpak, 151 bd de l'Hopital, 75013, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Wafa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Skalli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
keywords: Fibrocartilage; Pediatrics; Spinal diseases; Spine; Tissue elasticity imaging