Rofo 2019; 191(04): 333-339
DOI: 10.1055/a-0657-3905
Musculoskeletal System
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

New Approach for B-Mode Ultrasound (US) Evaluation of the Plantar Aponeurosis (PA) Thickness in Healthy Subjects

Neuer Ansatz zur B-Mode-Ultraschall (US)-Messung der Dicke der Aponeurosis plantaris (PA) bei gesunden Personen
Mohamed Mahmoud Hamdy Abd Ellah
1   Radiology Department, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
2   Diagnostic Radiology Department, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut, Egypt
3   Radiology/Neuroradiology Department, University and rehabilitation Clinic Ulm, Germany
,
Christian Kremser
1   Radiology Department, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
,
Sylvia Strobl
1   Radiology Department, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
,
Stefan Rauch
1   Radiology Department, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
,
Christian Deml
4   Trauma surgery department, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
,
Christian Kronreif
1   Radiology Department, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
,
Andrea Klauser
1   Radiology Department, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

16 March 2018

29 June 2018

Publication Date:
13 August 2018 (online)

Abstract

Purpose To compare ultrasound (US) measurements in the sagittal and axial plane of the plantar aponeurosis (PA) in healthy subjects.

Materials and Methods PA thickness was measured in 40 healthy subjects (mean age: 34 years) by two radiologists using US in sagittal, axial medial and axial lateral planes. Subjects were classified according to gender (female and male) and age (18 – 35 versus 50 – 75 years). All measurements were compared and the interobserver agreement was calculated.

Results The PA was medially significantly thicker than laterally (mean ± std 3.1 ± 0.7 mm versus 2.5 ± 0.5 mm respectively, P< 0.001). A significant difference was found between males and females (3.3 ± 0.7 mm versus 2.9 ± 0.6 mm medially and 2.7 ± 0.6 mm versus 2.3 ± 0.4 mm laterally, p < 0.05) and between the older and younger age groups (3.8 ± 0.6 mm versus 2.8 ± 0.4 mm medially and 3.1 ± 0.4 mm versus 2.3 ± 0.4 mm laterally, p < 0.001). Good interobserver agreement was detected (0.74).

Conclusion Measurement of central and lateral fascicles of the plantar aponeurosis in both planes (sagittal and axial) is recommended in the daily routine.

Key points

  • US examination of the central and lateral fascicles of the PA was feasible.

  • PA thickness measurements showed significant differences based on age and gender.

  • There was good interobserver correlation between both examiners despite the major difference in experience.

  • Scanning of two planes for the PA is recommended in the daily routine.

  • PA thickness measurement by US is a fast and reliable method for junior radiologists.

Citation Format

  • Abd Ellah MM, Kremser C, Strobl S et al. New Approach for B-Mode Ultrasound (US) Evaluation of the Plantar Aponeurosis (PA) Thickness in Healthy Subjects. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2019; 191: 333 – 339

Zusammenfassung

Ziel Vergleich von Ultraschall (US)-Messungen in sagittaler und axialer Ebene an der Aponeurosis plantaris (PA) bei gesunden Personen.

Material und Methoden Die PA-Dicke wurde bei 40 gesunden Personen (mittleres Alter 34 Jahre) von 2 Radiologen mittels US in sagittaler, axial medialer und axial lateraler Ebene gemessen. Die Teilnehmer wurden entsprechend ihres Geschlechts (weiblich/männlich) und ihres Alters (18 – 35 versus 50 – 75 Jahre) klassifiziert. Alle Messungen wurden verglichen und das Inter-Observer-Agreement berechnet.

Ergebnisse PA war medial signifikant dicker als lateral (mean± std 3,1 ± 0,7 mm versus 2,5 ± 0,5 mm, p < 0,001). Ein signifikanter Unterschied wurde auch zwischen männlichen und weiblichen Personen (3,3 ± 0,7 mm versus 2,9 ± 0,6 mm medial und 2,7 ± 0,6 mm versus 2,3 ± 0,4 mm lateral, p < 0,05) und zwischen der älteren und jüngeren Altersgruppe (3,8 ± 0,6 mm versus 2,8 ± 0,4 mm medial und 3,1 ± 0,4 mm versus 2,3 ± 0,4 mm lateral, p < 0,001) gefunden. Ein gutes Inter-Observer-Agreement (0,74) wurde beobachtet.

Schlussfolgerungen Die US-Messung der PA-Dicke in 2 verschiedenen Messebenen (sagittal und axial) kann für den klinischen Einsatz als Routine-Standardmethode empfohlen werden.

Kernaussagen

  • Die US-Untersuchung der zentralen und lateralen Faszikel der PA war möglich.

  • Die PA-Dickenmessung zeigte signifikante Unterschiede zwischen Geschlechts- und Altersgruppen.

  • Gutes Inter-Observer-Agreement trotz deutlicher Erfahrungsunterschiede.

  • Untersuchung der PA in 2 Ebenen wird für die Routine empfohlen.

  • Die PA-Dickenmessung mittels US ist eine schnelle und zuverlässige Methode für Nachwuchsradiologen.

 
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