2024 AAPM&R Annual Assembly Abstracts

S1a Samsung Prestige RS85 ultrasound machine.A physician identified muscles using ultrasound.5 muscles and 6 regions of interest within each muscle were examined for shear wave velocity and elasticity.Setting: Research Hospital.Participants: 11 genetically confirmed patients with SBMA.Interventions: N/A Main Outcome Measures: Mean shear wave velocity, elasticity, Adult Myopathy Assessment Tool (AMAT), 6-minute and 2-minute walk tests, creatinine, and creatinine kinase levels.Based on AMAT scores, participants were categorized into high-function (n=5) and impaired-function (n=6) groups.Results: Wilcox rank sum and Spearman correlations yielded variable results.The masseter muscle exhibited a significant increase in shear wave velocity/elasticity between visits associated with decreased AMAT scores, potentially indicating heightened tissue stiffness linked to atrophy and dysfunction.Conclusions: SWE has potential as a biomarker in SBMA and other neuromuscular diseases.Other imaging-based modalities such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are expensive, time-consuming, invasive, and often don't image bulbar muscles when evaluating neuromuscular disorders.Our findings indicate the potential for another imaging modality for bulbar muscles.However, the variability and lack of significance indicate a longer follow-up window is needed to better track changes in SWE values over time.Further studies with larger cohorts and extended follow-up intervals are needed to validate the utility of SWE in disease progression.