Comparing the clinical application of strain elastography and shear wave elastography for the evaluation of lateral epicondylitis

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of gray-scale ultrasound (GSU), strain elastography (SE), and shear wave elastography (SWE) for lateral epicondylitis (LE). METHODS: From November 2018 to March 2021, 87 common extensor tendons (CETs) of 70 patients were evaluated using elbow ultrasound. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with LE and those without lateral elbow pain. GSU, SE, and SWE findings from the two groups were compared, and the diagnostic performance was compared for significant variables. RESULTS: Among the 70 patients, 41 with 44 CETs were clinically diagnosed with LE, and 29 with 43 CETs had no lateral elbow pain. Hypoechogenicity, calcification, and hyperemia were significantly different. Strain ratio (SR), stiffness, and shear wave velocity (SWV) were also significantly different. The diagnostic accuracy of stiffness and SWV was better than that of other significant findings. Furthermore, there were no superiorities in SR, stiffness, or SWV. CONCLUSION: Both SE and SWE can be valuable diagnostic tools for diagnosing LE. The diagnostic performances of both SE and SWE were similar in the detection of LE.