The reproducibility of ultrasonographic assessment of local cross-sectional dimensions of masseter muscle / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine if ultrasonography is a reliable technique to assess masseter muscle sites within intra- and interobserver and the scanning level and/or the muscle condition affect local cross-sectional dismension (LCSD) measurements of masseter muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 subjects without sign and symptom of temporomandibular disorders and missing posterior teeth were examined by ultrasonography. Bilateral ultrasonographic examinations were performed with a linear (B-scan) 7.5 MHz small-part transducer to register LCSDs of the masseter muscle on three different levels. Scans were made on relaxed and clenching condition. Three oral and maxillofacial radiologists measured at two sessions with a time interval of at least 5 minutes. RESULTS: Variables such as 'condition' and 'level' had a significant effect on muscle measurements (p 0.05) and 'observers' (p> 0.05). LCSDs on lower scan level were significantly thinner than those on upper and middle level. Those on clenching condition were significantly thicker than those on relaxed condition (p< 0.05). The scanning level with the highest reproducibility was middle with clenching condition (ICC = 0.90, MSE = 0.55%). CONCLUSION: The data suggested that ultrasonography was a reliable method for measuring LSCD of masseter muscle in intra- and interobserver and middle scan level showed the most reliable data.