Defining normal enthesis stiffness range in a healthy adult population

• Published in: British Journal of Radiology
• Main Author: 2-s2.0-85218640308
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 2025
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85218640308&doi=10.1093%2fbjr%2ftqae250&partnerID=40&md5=b5eeb7ecfe0a3a00df9417254275d906

Objectives: This study explores the correlation between volunteer demographics with enthesis stiffness and intra- and interobserver agreements using shear wave elastography (SWE). Methods: Ninety-eight healthy volunteers were recruited. SWE was performed on quadriceps, suprapatellar, infrapatellar, and Achilles entheses. The stiffness measurements were measured in shear wave velocity (SWV). Results: Mann-Whitney test revealed insignificant difference in SWV among gender. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed significant difference in SWV between left and right Achilles entheses. Spearman correlation test revealed moderate negative correlation between SWV and age group in quadriceps (ρ, -0.45, P <. 01), and weak negative correlation in suprapatellar (ρ, -0.31, P <. 01), and left Achilles (ρ, -0.29, P <. 01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed subjects' demographic significantly predicted quadriceps, suprapatellar, and left Achilles entheses stiffness with only age statistically significantly to the prediction (P <. 05). Kruskal-Wallis showed significant differences in SWV for quadriceps (P =. 01), suprapatellar (P =. 03), and left Achilles (P =. 01) among different age groups. Good interobserver [0.79-0.86 (95% CI, 0.32-0.94)] and interobserver agreement [0.78-0.89 (95% CI, 0.62-0.95)] were found in all the entheses. Conclusion: SWE emerges as a reproducible method for entheses stiffness quantification, with the study highlighting age as a significant factor impacting SWV in quadriceps, suprapatellar, and left Achilles entheses. Among the studied entheses, SWV for Achilles enthesis is the highest in all age groups. © 2024 The Author(s).