Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2017, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (1): 57-61.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2017.01.012

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Study of shear wave elastic modulus in a rat model of chronic myofascial trigger points

LV Heng-yong1, LI Zhen1, WANG Yue-xiang2, LI Ying-xin1, WU Jin-peng1   

  1. 1.Laser Medicine Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China; 2.Department of Ultrasound, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing100853, China
  • Received:2016-05-13 Online:2017-01-25 Published:2017-02-22
  • Contact: WU Jin-peng, E-mail:microkn@126.com

Abstract:

Objective To detect the shear wave elastic modulus of the myofascial trigger points of chronic myofascial trigger points in a rat model, and study the application value of elastic ultrasound in the identification of the rat model and clinical diagnosis, and provide the basis for the diagnosis of the disease such as myofascial pain syndrome. Methods A total of 24 male SD rats (7 weeks old) were randomly divided into a control group (group A) and a model group (group B). A blunt striking injury and eccentric exercise were applied to the rats in the model group for 8 weeks, and then all rats were fed normally for 4 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, EMG of rats was detected, and the elastic modulus of myofascial trigger point was measured by shear wave elastography and the difference between groups was compared. Results  Spontaneous electrical activity was detected in rats of group B, showing the existence of myofascial trigger points. The shear wave elastic modulus in focal region of the trigger point was significantly higher than that of the surrounding tissue (P<0.05), and the elastic modulus of the focal region and the surrounding tissue of the rats in the model group was higher than that of the control group. Conclusion Shear wave elasticity modulus measurement technique can quantify stiffness characteristics of myofascial trigger point, and prompt significant increase of the hardness of the trigger points, providing objective basis for clinical diagnosis. This technique can also be used to differentiate focal region and the surrounding tissue, providing a new way to identify the myofascial trigger point of the rat model. Therefore, this technique has an important study and application value for clinical diagnosis and treatment effect evaluation of myofascial pain syndrome.

Key words: Myofascial trigger point, Elastic modulus, Ultrasound elastrography