Quantitative assessment of normal soft-tissue elasticity using shear-wave ultrasound elastography

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure the elasticity of various tissues and report it in kilopascals.

Subjects and methods: The thyroid, submandibular, and parotid glands, masseter and gastrocnemius muscles, supraspinatus and Achilles tendons, renal cortex and pelvis, pancreas, and spleen of 127 healthy volunteers (89 women, 38 men; mean age, 37.72 ± 9.11 years; range, 17-63 years) were evaluated with shear-wave ultrasound elastography.

Results: The mean elasticity values were determined to be 10.97 ± 3.1 kPa for the thyroid, 10.92 ± 3.1 kPa for the submandibular glands, 10.38 ± 3.5 kPa for the parotid glands, 10.4 ± 3.7 kPa for the masseter muscle, 11.1 ± 4.1 kPa for the gastrocnemius muscle, 31.2 ± 13 kPa for the supraspinatus muscle, 51.5 ± 25.1 kPa for the Achilles tendons, 5.0 ± 2.9 kPa for the renal cortex, 23.6 ± 5.4 kPa for the renal pelvis, 4.8 ± 3 kPa for the pancreas, and 2.9 ± 1.8 kPa for the spleen.

Conclusion: Elasticity values were determined for different tissues with shear-wave ultrasound elastography. Further studies comparing the elasticity values of normal and pathologic tissues are necessary to determine the diagnostic role of this technique.