Sharon Gabison1,2,3,4, Sunita Mathur2,5, Ethne L Nussbaum5,6, Milos R Popovic3,4,5,7, Mary C Verrier1,2,3,4,5. 1. SCI Mobility Laboratory, Lyndhurst Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada. 2. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada. 3. Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Lyndhurst Centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada. 4. Institute of Medical Science Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada. 5. Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada. 6. MClSc Program in Field of Wound Healing, Western University , London , Ontario , Canada. 7. Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.
Abstract
Objectives: To compare thickness and texture measures of tissue overlying the ischial region in able-bodied (AB) individuals vs. individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to determine if there is a relationship between pressure offloading of the ischial tuberosities (IT) and tissue health in individuals with SCI. Design: Exploratory cross-sectional study. Setting: University setting and rehabilitation hospital. Outcome Measures: Thickness and texture measurements from ultrasound images of tissues overlying the IT were obtained from AB individuals (n = 10) and individuals with complete or incomplete traumatic and non-traumatic SCI American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) classification A-D (n = 15). Pressure offloading was measured in individuals with SCI and correlated with tissue health measurements. Results: The area overlying the IT occupied by the muscle was significantly greater in the SCI when compared with AB cohort. The area occupied by the muscle in individuals with SCI appeared to lose the striated appearance and was more echogenic than nearby skin and subcutaneous tissue (ST). There was no correlation between offloading times and thickness, echogenicity and contrast measurements of skin, ST and muscle in individuals with SCI. Conclusion: Changes in soft tissues overlying the ischial tuberosity occur following SCI corresponding to the loss of striated appearance of muscle and increased thickness of the area occupied by the muscle. Further studies using a larger sample size are recommended to establish if thickness and tissue texture differ between individuals with SCI who sustain pressure injuries vs. those who do not.
Objectives: To compare thickness and texture measures of tissue overlying the ischial region in able-bodied (AB) individuals vs. individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and to determine if there is a relationship between pressure offloading of the ischial tuberosities (IT) and tissue health in individuals with SCI. Design: Exploratory cross-sectional study. Setting: University setting and rehabilitation hospital. Outcome Measures: Thickness and texture measurements from ultrasound images of tissues overlying the IT were obtained from AB individuals (n = 10) and individuals with complete or incomplete traumatic and non-traumatic SCI American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) classification A-D (n = 15). Pressure offloading was measured in individuals with SCI and correlated with tissue health measurements. Results: The area overlying the IT occupied by the muscle was significantly greater in the SCI when compared with AB cohort. The area occupied by the muscle in individuals with SCI appeared to lose the striated appearance and was more echogenic than nearby skin and subcutaneous tissue (ST). There was no correlation between offloading times and thickness, echogenicity and contrast measurements of skin, ST and muscle in individuals with SCI. Conclusion: Changes in soft tissues overlying the ischial tuberosity occur following SCI corresponding to the loss of striated appearance of muscle and increased thickness of the area occupied by the muscle. Further studies using a larger sample size are recommended to establish if thickness and tissue texture differ between individuals with SCI who sustain pressure injuries vs. those who do not.
Authors: Yih-Kuen Jan; Maria A Jones; Meheroz H Rabadi; Robert D Foreman; Amy Thiessen Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2010-11 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: Mohsen Makhsous; Fang Lin; Andrew Cichowski; Iris Cheng; Charles Fasanati; Thomas Grant; Ronald W Hendrix Journal: Clin Anat Date: 2011-01-07 Impact factor: 2.414
Authors: Paul R Quintavalle; Courtney H Lyder; Philip J Mertz; Connie Phillips-Jones; Mary Dyson Journal: Adv Skin Wound Care Date: 2006 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 2.347