Does Magnetic Resonance Imaging Provide Superior Reliability for Achilles and Patellar Tendon Cross-Sectional Area Measurements Compared with Ultrasound Imaging?

This study investigated the reliability of Achilles and patellar tendon cross-sectional area (CSA) measurement using ultrasound imaging (USI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fifteen healthy adults were imaged twice on two occasions, interrupted by a tendon loading protocol. Tendon CSA segmentations were conducted by an experienced and an inexperienced rater blinded to information regarding subject, session and loading status. USI provided good test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] 2,1> 0.85, standard error of measurement [SEM] 5% –6%), while with MRI it was excellent (ICC 2,1> 0.92, SEM 4%) for the experienced rater.
Source: Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology - Category: Radiology Authors: Tags: Original Contribution Source Type: research