Validity of ultrasound rectus femoris quantitative assessment: A comparative study between linear and curved array transducers

Appendicular skeletal mass is commonly used to assess the loss in muscle mass and Ultra Sound (US) approach represents a valid and reliable method. However, the procedural protocols are still heterogeneous. The aim of this study was to compare the intertransducers validity of thickness, width, and CSA measurements of rectus femoris (RF) muscle. The anteroposterior (AP), (laterolateral) LL and (cross-sectional area) CSA of RF muscle were evaluated with both linear and curve probes in ten healthy subjects and six sarcopenic patients. In the healthy group the mean AP diameters measured with the linear array were significantly higher than those measured with the curved array. AP and CSA were higher in the healthy group compared with the sarcopenic group with both transducers. There was a positive correlation between weight and LL diameter, and a negative correlation between age and muscle AP, measured with the linear probe. Both linear and curved probes represent valid methods in US evaluation of the CSA of the RF muscle. However, in the healthy subjects, the thickness and width of the same muscle, are affected by the type of probe