Usability and Pitfalls of Shear-Wave Elastography for Evaluation of Muscle Quality and Its Potential in Assessing Sarcopenia: A Review

Abstract

Sarcopenia is age-related progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Its prevalence is rising, which poses a burden for society because it increases disability and dependency and therefore raises health care costs. Muscle mass quality, however-an essential part of sarcopenia-is not easily diagnosable yet. Recent interest has risen for ultrasonographic evaluation of muscle. This review introduces muscle elastography as a possible, easy and cheap tool to evaluate qualitative muscle parameters. Basic principles of muscle elastography are described, as well as different elastography techniques and some technical considerations. Furthermore, a proposal for practical guidelines is offered and factors influencing muscle stiffness are highlighted.

Keywords: ARFI; Elastography; Muscle quality; Muscle stiffness; Sarcopenia; Shear wave; Ultrasound.