Santiago, T, Alcacer-Pitarch, B, Salvador, M et al. (3 more authors) (2016) A preliminary study using virtual touch imaging and quantification for the assessment of skin stiffness in systemic sclerosis. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology, 34 (5, Suppl 100). pp. 137-141. ISSN 0392-856X
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate ultrasound Virtual Touch Imaging and Quantification (VTIQ) as a method for determining absolute skin stiffness in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Skin thickness, assessed by the modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) and absolute skin stiffness, using VTIQ, were measured at all mRSS anatomical sites to quantify the shear wave velocity (in m/s) in 26 SSc patients and in 17 age- and gender-matched controls. Correlations between mRSS and absolute skin stiffness, and comparisons between patients and controls were analysed statistically using Mann-Whitney U tests and correlations between variables using Pearson’s. P values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Shear wave velocity as a measure of skin stiffness was significantly higher in SSc than in controls in 11 out of 16 mRSS sites investigated. Shear-wave velocity was strongly correlated with the local mRSS in the following anatomical sites: forearm, hand, phalanx, and thigh. In the patient group, clinically unaffected skin could also be differentiated from healthy skin using shear-wave velocity. CONCLUSIONS: VTIQ represents an innovative and promising technique that provides, for the first time, a non-invasive, absolute quantification of skin stiffness. Further studies of VTIQ are required, but this early study supports the clinical and scientific potential of this new measure of skin involvement in SSc.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Keywords: | systemic sclerosis, elastography ultrasound, shear-wave elastography, acoustic radiation force impulse, virtual touch and imaging quantification |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Medicine (Leeds) > Institute of Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Medicine (LIRMM) (Leeds) > Clinical Biomechanic & Physical Med (LIRMM) (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 17 Jun 2016 09:50 |
Last Modified: | 13 Apr 2018 11:07 |
Published Version: | http://www.clinexprheumatol.org/abstract.asp?a=975... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology Sas |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:96488 |