Diagnostic value of high-frequency ultrasound in early stage of gastrocnemius of diabetic foot muscles and calves

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of high-frequency ultrasound in the early stage of muscular and leg gastrocnemius in type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM). Methods One hundred patients with T2DM were divided into two groups according to whether they had peripheral neuropathy (DPN): 50 cases in the non-combined group and 50 cases in the combined group. In the same period, 50 healthy volunteers served as the healthy control group. The transverse diameter, thickness and cross-sectional area of the non-dominant extensor digitorum longus (EDB) and the thickness of the first and second metatarsophalangeal muscles (MIL) were measured by high-frequency ultrasound. The gastrocnemius muscular sonogram was made, and the calf muscular bundle width, subcutaneous fat thickness was detected. Results The diameter, thickness, cross-sectional area of the EDB and MIL thickness in the combined group were smaller than those in the non-combined group (P<0.05). The diameters, thickness, cross-sectional area of the EDB and MIL thickness in the combined group and the non-combined group were lower than those in the healthy control group (P<0.05). The width of muscular bundle of calf gastrocnemius in T2DM patients was narrower than that in healthy controls, while the thickness of subcutaneous fat was thicker than that in healthy controls, the differences were significant (P<0.05). The cross-section of T2DM patients with calf gastrocnemius muscular atrophy showed a large number of short-echogenic hyperechogenic spot, the muscle was steatosis, echo diffuse enhanced, part of the muscle structure disappeared. Conclusions High-frequency ultrasound is of great significance in the diagnosis of early-stage muscular and calf gastrocnemius in diabetic patients and provides some theoretical basis for the early clinical implementation of timely and accurate treatment and reduction of serious complications. However, there are few reports on the research at home and abroad, more clinical studies are requird. Key words: High-frequency ultrasound; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; Peripheral neuropathy; Foot muscles; Calf gastrocnemius; Clinical value