Multifidus Muscle Stiffness in Single-level Unilateral Lumbar Disc Herniation: Comparison of Two Shear-wave Elastography Methods

Abstract

Aim:The suitability of shear-wave elastography (SWE) analysis in muscle tissue has been demonstrated previously. There are no studies that have applied the two SWE methods to evaluate the multifidus muscle in patients with lumbar disc herniation. We aimed to evaluate multifidus muscle stiffness in patients with single-level unilateral lumbar disc herniation via two SWE methods.Methods:This cross-sectional study was carried out by examining the hospital records of patients who underwent lumbar MRI in July 2019. A total of 22 patients with single-level unilateral lumbar disc herniation underwent bilateral multifidus stiffness assessment via the two-dimensional SWE (2D-SWE) and point-SWE (p-SWE) methods.Results:The only measurement that demonstrated a significant difference between normoweight and overweight subjects was the hernia-side p-SWE value. On the hernia side, 2D-SWE and p-SWE were correlated. Age was determined to be an independent factor that significantly altered results for the hernia and non-hernia sides of both techniques, while weight was an independent factor for the hernia and non-hernia results of only the p-SWE technique.Conclusion:Lower muscle stiffness determined via 2D-SWE or p-SWE may have value in the diagnosis, follow-up, or management of patients with one-sided unilateral lumbar disc herniation. Age and weight appear to be important variables to consider when evaluating multifidus muscle stiffness values.

Keywords

• body mass index
• height
• multifidus muscle
• shear-wave elastography
• weight