The ULTRA Study: Cross-Comparison of Ultrasound Systems

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to develop computational methods for cross-comparison of muscle composition measurements in three laboratory ultrasound systems.

Detailed Description
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The purpose of this study is to develop computational methods for cross-comparison of muscle composition measurements in three laboratory ultrasound systems. We propose a cross-sectional study to obtain ultrasound images of selected muscles in Veteran participants. These data will be used to develop conversion models for each system. Evaluation of neuromuscular symptoms such as muscle weakness and fatigue is crucial to improving quality of life among Veterans. These symptoms may be related to progressive changes in muscle tissue composition, including increased intramuscular fat and atrophy. Quantitative musculoskeletal ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging application used to characterize muscle tissue composition. Despite its non-invasiveness and relative low cost, quantitative musculoskeletal ultrasound has not been widely adopted by the medical community due in part to technical barriers that impede generalization of measurements across ultrasound systems. Unfortunately, few techniques have been proposed to reliably compare system measurements. Development of new cross-comparison methods could expand quantitative musculoskeletal ultrasound applications and improve neuromuscular symptoms diagnosis.

Official Title
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The ULTRA Study: Cross-Comparison of Muscle Composition Measures in Multiple Ultrasound Systems

Conditions
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Healthy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: Ultrasound


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Male or female Veteran who receives medical care at the Washington DC VA Medical Center Ages 20-85 Exclusion Criteria: Limb amputation (upper or lower extremity) Lower extremity joint replacement Severe cognitive impairment Edema Inability to read, speak, or understand English

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 85 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Device: Ultrasound|Imaging of the rectus femoris, lower-trapezius, brachioradialis, tibialis anterior, middle deltoid, and pectoralis major will be conducted in Veteran participants during a single visit to the Washington D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Imaging will be conducted by investigators experienced with quantitative ultrasound using diagnostic musculoskeletal B-mode ultrasound with a 10 Mhz linear transducer.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Echogenicity | Echogenicity values (i.e., image brightness) obtained from the ultrasound scans (units: grayscale levels, 0-255) | 1 day | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Muscle thickness | Morphometry values (units: cm) obtained from the ultrasound scans using digital calipers. | 1 day | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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ultrasound, muscle