Examination of Measurement Position and Gain Setting in Muscle Echo Intensity Measurement Using Ultrasound Device

Abstract

[Purpose] To examine the correlation between ultrasound-derived muscle echo intensity setting and intramuscular fat content calculated from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). [Participants and Methods] The participants were 20 healthy adults: 12 males and 8 females. Using an ultrasound device and MRI, we acquired images of the dominant leg thigh at the 25%, 50%, and 75% marks between the greater trochanter and the lateral femoral epicondyle while the subjects were lying supine at rest. [Results] For males, significant correlation was observed for the rectus femoris and vastus intermedius at the 25% mark across all sensitivity settings; however, for females, no significant correlations were found at any setting condition, and it was not possible to establish conditions for measuring muscle echogenicity using the ultrasound device. [Conclusion] In this study, the inability to establish conditions for muscle brightness measurement using an ultrasound device in female subjects was likely due to the small number of female participants. Further research is needed.