Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Burns

Publisher

Elsevier

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

34173

Funders

Edith Cowan University - Open Access Support Scheme 2020

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

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.

DOI

10.1016/j.burns.2020.05.009

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1016/j.burns.2020.05.009