Back to Search
Start Over
Shear wave elastography detects novel imaging biomarkers of aromatase inhibitor–induced joint pain: a pilot study
- Source :
- Journal of Ultrasonography, Vol 21, Iss 84, Pp 1-6 (2021)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Sciendo, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Aim: To determine whether differences in joint and tendon stiffness as measured by ultrasound shear wave elastography are present in breast cancer patients with aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgias compared to age-comparable healthy control women. Methods: Postmenopausal women with stage I–III breast cancer who were taking adjuvant aromatase inhibitors and complained of joint pain were enrolled (n = 6). Postmenopausal women with no history of breast cancer, hormone treatment, or joint pain served as controls (n = 7). All subjects had bilateral hands and wrists evaluated by gray-scale and power Doppler ultrasound, and shear wave elastography ultrasound. Results: Patients with AI-associated arthralgias had significantly stiffer tendons than controls in the 1st extensor compartment (long axis; p = 0.001), 4th extensor compartment (long axis; p = 0.014), 3rd metacarpophalangeal joint (p = 0.002), the pooled values of the extensor compartments, both long (p = 0.044) and short axes (p = 0.035), and the pooled values for the metacarpophalangeal joints (p = 0.002). On ultrasound, the patients (but not controls) presented with hyperemia and increased tenosynovial fluid in the flexor and extensor tendon sheaths, and the median nerves were symptomatic and bifid; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: This is the first study to identify increased tendon stiffness as a putative physiological characteristic of aromatase inhibitor–associated arthralgias. Future studies should determine whether increased tendon stiffness is a risk factor for the development of aromatase inhibitor–associated arthralgias, or a result of aromatase inhibitor treatment.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2451070X and 65905210
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 84
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Journal of Ultrasonography
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.659052105214a3ba9f82f9e2440dc4e
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.15557/jou.2021.0001