Abstract
Shear-wave elastography (SWE) is an ultrasound based technology that can provide reliable measurements (velocity) of scar stiffness. The aim of this research was to evaluate the concurrent validity of using both the measured velocity and the calculated difference in velocity between scars and matched controls, in addition to evaluating potential patient factors that may influence the interpretation of the measurements.
Methods
A cross-sectional study of 32 participants, with 48 burn scars and 48 matched contralateral control sites were evaluated with SWE, the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) tactile sub-scores.
Results
Spearman’s rho demonstrated high correlations (r > 0.7) between the measured scar velocity and both the POSAS and VSS pliability sub-scores, whereas moderate correlations (r > 0.6) were found with the calculated difference in velocity. Regression analysis indicated that the association of increased velocity in scars, varied by length of time after burn injury and gender. Body location and Fitzpatrick skin type also demonstrated significant associations with velocity, whereas age did not.
Conclusion
SWE shows potential as a novel tool to quantify burn scar stiffness, however patient factors need to be considered when interpreting results. Further research is recommended on a larger variety of scars to support the findings.
RAS ID
34173
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
2020
Funding Information
Edith Cowan University - Open Access Support Scheme 2020
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Publisher
Elsevier
Identifier
Helen DeJong
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7390-4110
Melanie Ziman
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7527-3538
Recommended Citation
DeJong, H., Abbott, S., Zelesco, M., Spilsbury, K., Ziman, M., Kennedy, B. F., Martin, L., & Wood, F. M. (2020). Objective quantification of burn scar stiffness using shear-wave elastography: Initial evidence of validity. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2020.05.009
Comments
DeJong, H., Abbott, S., Zelesco, M., Spilsbury, K., Ziman, M., Kennedy, B. F., ... & Wood, F. M. (2020). Objective quantification of burn scar stiffness using shear-wave elastography: Initial evidence of validity. Burns. 46(8), 1787-1798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2020.05.009