R. Dimova 1, E. Titianova 1,3, S. Karakaneva 1, I. Daskalova 2
1 Clinic of Functional Diagnostics of Nervous System,
2 Clinic of Endocrinology, Military Medical Academy – Sofia, 3Faculty of Medicine, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski – Sofia, Bulgaria

Objective: To summarize our experience in parallel electromyographic (EMG) and multimodal ultrasound imaging studies of calf muscle structure and function in patients with different neurological and non-neurological disorders.

Material and Methods: Different types of triceps surae (TS) muscle disturbances due to traumatic injury, genetic disorders, peripheral neuropathy, chronic spastic hemiparesis, venous pathology and combined hemiparesis after cervical and lumbar spinal surgery were evaluated by EMG and electroneurography. The findings were juxtaposed to corresponding images obtained by simultaneous multimodal 2D/3D/4D myosonography in rest, during maximal plantar flexion and electrical stimulation. The results were compared to EMG findings and myosonograms of healthy persons.

M. Siebler
Mediclin /Essen Kettwig, Department of Neurorehabilitation/ University of Duesseldorf – Essen, Germany

Objective: By means of ultrasound (US) methods structural and functional properties of the muscle tissue could be detected in patients in real time and non-invasively. Using tissue velocity imaging (TVI) we are able to investigate the dynamics of movements in identified muscles. We tested whether this method could be applicated to measure the forearm muscle motions in order to monitor rehabilitation therapies and pharmacological effects.

Material and Methods: The voluntary movement of hand opening (M.ext. digitorum) and closing (M.flexor digitorum) was analyzed in healthy subjects (n=30) and stroke patients (n= 31) using the B-mode and tissue velocity imaging (TVI). TVI is based on the Doppler effect to record slow movements of the tissue and was adapted on a 6-8 MHz probe. We recorded synergistic contractions or dephasing (non-synchronous muscle activity) and quantified velocity of contraction and relaxation as well as there repetition frequency.