Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34218342›Full record

Observational studyEuropean spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society2021

Echo-intensity, fatty infiltration, and morphology ultrasound imaging assessment in healthy and whiplash associated disorders populations: an observational study.

Juan Antonio Valera-Calero, Asis Al-Buqain-Ortega, José Luis Arias-Buría, César Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, Umut Varol, Ricardo Ortega-Santiago

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 9 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
9citing papers in PubMed
2.6field-weighted citation impact, top 11% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

9 citing papers in PubMed, 16 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Juan Antonio Valera-CaleroDepartment of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health, Universidad Camilo José Cela, Calle Catillo de Alarcón 49, Villanueva de la Cañada, 28692, Madrid, Spain. javalera@ucjc.edu.ORCID 0000-0002-3379-8392
Asis Al-Buqain-OrtegaPrivate Professional Practice, Madrid, Spain.
José Luis Arias-BuríaDepartment of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.
César Fernández-de-Las-PeñasDepartment of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.
Umut VarolIE School of Human Sciences and Technology, Madrid, Spain.
Ricardo Ortega-SantiagoDepartment of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Alcorcón, Spain.
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos · ESIE University · ES

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAlthough changes in muscle morphology and quality in deep neck flexors seem to be clear in patients with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD), evidence for deep neck extensors is heterogeneous. In addition, most studies have used magnetic resonance imaging or computer tomography, which is not available for regular practice.

objectivesTo assess differences in deep neck extensors morphology and quality between patients with WAD and controls with ultrasound imaging (US) and to assess the association of imaging findings with clinical features.

methodsOne hundred and sixty brightness-mode images at C4/C5 level were acquired in 41 patients with WAD and 39 pain-free controls. Muscle morphology and quality characteristics of the cervical multifidus (CM) and short rotators (SR), clinical pain features and pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed in a blinded design.

resultsBetween-groups differences in both CM and SR were observed for fatty infiltration percentage (mean: 4.9%; P < 0.001; mean: 3.5%; P < 0.05, respectively) and mean EI (mean: 4.1; P < 0.001; mean: 3.2; P < 0.05, respectively): patients exhibited higher fatty infiltration than controls. The intensity of neck pain was negatively associated with multifidus CSA and perimeter (P < 0.001); symptoms duration was negatively associated with CM morphology (P < 0.001), CM mean EI (P < 0.05) and SR morphology (P < 0.05); pain-related disability was associated with CM morphology (P < 0.001) and SR mean EI (P < 0.05); and PPTs was associated with CM mean EI (P < 0.01) and FI (p < 0.05) and SR morphology (P < 0.001). No significant effect of gender was found in any analysis.

conclusionUS assessment of deep cervical extensors revealed greater fatty infiltration, but no differences in muscle morphology, between WAD patients and pain-free controls.

Indexed as

Neck MusclesWhiplash InjuriesHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingNeck PainUltrasonographyCross-sectional areaFatty infiltrationNeck musclesUltrasound imagingWhiplash

Identifiers

PMID34218342
OpenAlexW3181325963

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.