Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
British Journal of Radiology, cilt.89, sa.1068, 2016 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of sonoelastography to show muscle stiffness in post-stroke spasticity, and the relationship between sonoelastography findings and clinical spasticity scores in the spastic forearm muscles. Methods: This study was carried out in a university rehabilitation centre. 23 patients with stroke with forearm muscle spasticity (11 using the Modified Ashworth scale score and 1 using the Tardieu scale) were included. Sonoelastography parameters (elasticity index and elasticity ratio) were measured from the flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor digitorum profundus, flexor carpi radialis and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles on the affected and unaffected sides. Results: Both elasticity index and elasticity ratio of the wrist and finger flexors on the hemiplegic side were significantly increased compared with those on the healthy side (p,0.05). The Tardieu angle of finger flexors was negatively correlated with the elasticity index and elasticity ratio measured in the spastic flexor digitorum profundus (r520.418 and r520.469, respectively). Tardieu angle of finger flexors was negatively correlated with the elasticity index measured in the spastic flexor digitorum superficialis (r520.435). There was no correlation between other parameters. Conclusion: Sonoelastography may provide objective assessment of spasticity both in diagnosis and followup. To strengthen this prediction, further studies are necessary.