Scanning plane comparison of ultrasound-derived morphological characteristics of the vastus lateralis

Muscle morphological characteristics obtained via ultrasonography have been used to quantify the size, architecture, and quality of skeletal muscle. Previous research has utilized varying ultrasonographic techniques, however there is little information comparing these different techniques. Muscle morphological characteristics, including cross-sectional area (CSA), muscle thickness (MT), echo intensity (EI), and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SubQ) were assessed in 24 males (20.2 ± 1.6 y) via three panoramic-images captured in the transverse plane (PTI) and three still-images captured in the longitudinal plane (SLI). Cross-sectional area of PTI was significantly greater than CSA of SLI (P < 0.001), however positive correlations existed between the two measurements (r = 0.752, P < 0.001). Echo intensity of PTI was significantly lower than EI of SLI (P = 0.002), however, positive correlations existed between the two measurements (r = 0.681, P < 0.001). MT of PTI was significantly greater than MT of SLI (P = 0.003), but positive correlations existed between measurements (r = 0.809, P < 0.001). However, SubQ of PTI was significantly lower than SubQ of SLI (P < 0.001), but positive correlations existed between measurements (r = 0.915, P < 0.001). In conclusions, PTI and SLI yield significantly different CSA, EI, MT, and SubQ measurements but these values are highly correlated. Still longitudinal images require less time, cost, and expertise, and therefore may be preferred over PTI in future studies. Clin. Anat. 30:533–542, 2017.