Title:Methods of Masseter and Temporal Muscle Thickness and Elasticity Measurements by Ultrasound Imaging: A Literature Review
Volume: 17
Author(s): Gabriela Blicharz, Małgorzata Rymarczyk, Mateusz Rogulski and Paweł Linek*
Affiliation:
- Musculoskeletal Elastography and Ultrasonography Laboratory, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Katowice,Poland
Keywords:
Elastography, ultrasound imaging, masseter muscle, temporal muscle, stiffness, muscle geometry.
Abstract:
Background: The positive correlation between changes in the morphology of masseter
and temporal muscles and some disorders, inclines diagnosticians to search for an effective method
of assessing muscle thickness and elasticity. Ultrasound imaging, as a relatively simple and cheap
method, seems to be a useful diagnostic tool.
Objective: The aim of this study was to present the existing ultrasound imaging methods in the assessment
of the elasticity and thickness of the masseter and temporal muscles.
Methods: The literature review has been done with a focus on the accurate description of the masseter
and/or temporal muscle examination by ultrasonography imaging methods. Articles were categorized
into two groups. The first group included articles in which muscle thickness was assessed
by ultrasound imaging. The second group concerned the elasticity aspect of mentioned muscles.
Results: It is difficult to achieve an objective protocol of masseter and temporal thickness assessment
by ultrasonography and there is no method that has been fully verified in terms of reliability.
The shear-wave sonoelastography revealed higher-level reliability of masseter muscle elasticity
than strain sonoelastography. During the shear-wave sonoelastography, the effect of scan plane in
relation to masseter muscle pennation and the day-to-day variation were statistically significant.
With regard to elasticity of temporal muscle, further research is needed.
Conclusion: This review has shown that there is a limited number of methods for masseter and
temporal muscle thickness and elasticity measurements by ultrasonography. All procedures (methods)
were not fully verified in terms of reliability and agreement. Thus, it is still necessary to develop
standardized procures to assess thickness and elasticity of the masseter and temporal muscles
with appropriate reliability and accuracy.