Comparison of two-dimensional shear wave elastography and point shear wave elastography techniques with magnetic resonance findings in detection of patellar tendinopathy.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) and two-dimensional shear wave elastography (SWE) techniques in the diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 77 patients (32 males, 45 females; mean age 47.1±9.47 years; range, 33 to 65 years) referred to our clinic for MRI and diagnosed with patellar tendinopathy. Patients' demographic data such as age and gender, and patellar tendon grades found on MRI, SWE and pSWE values were recorded. RESULTS Patellar tendinopathies were found as grade I in 20, grade II in 37, and grade III in 20 patients. The mean SWE value was 83.83±34.27 kPa, while the mean pSWE value was 79.25±33.75 kPa. There was a strong correlation between SWE and pSWE values. CONCLUSION Shear wave elastography and pSWE techniques can be safely used as non-invasive and quantitative imaging modalities in detection of patellar tendinopathy. Our results indicated that SWE and pSWE were helpful to confirm stiffness of patellar tendon in patients with patellar tendinopathy.