Utilizing Shear Wave Elastography for the Evaluation of Ocular Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis
<b>Background:</b> Several imaging studies have confirmed ocular involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, elastography has not yet been used for this purpose in the literature. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate ocular involvement in SSc using shear wave elastography (SWE). <...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Mehmet Kök Ayşe Ayan Mehmet Emin Arayici Sinan Ülgen |
| author_facet | Mehmet Kök Ayşe Ayan Mehmet Emin Arayici Sinan Ülgen |
| author_sort | Mehmet Kök |
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| description | <b>Background:</b> Several imaging studies have confirmed ocular involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, elastography has not yet been used for this purpose in the literature. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate ocular involvement in SSc using shear wave elastography (SWE). <b>Methods:</b> This study included 29 SSc patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent independent ophthalmological evaluations by two ophthalmologists. Subsequently, SWE was used to evaluate the retina–choroid–sclera (RCS), optic disc (OD), optic nerve (ON), and retrobulbar adipose tissue (RBFT) of the right eye. The median shear wave elasticity (kPa) and velocity (m/s) values were automatically calculated using the ultrasound device’s integrated software. <b>Results:</b> The elasticity and velocity values of RBFT in SSc patients were significantly higher than those in the control group. However, no notable differences were observed in other analyzed areas. A strong association was found between digital ulcers and velocity values of the RCS, while no significant differences were noted for other parameters. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study revealed increased stiffness in the RBFT of SSc patients. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence suggesting that SSc can affect RBFT. Further studies are required to confirm this finding and investigate its link to the disease. Additionally, we found a strong association between digital ulcers and increased RCS stiffness. Using SWE for the first time, we have demonstrated that microcirculatory disruption in SSc extends beyond the skin and can affect multiple tissues simultaneously. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5bcec73368b44a4c883caa5e1644586c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-4418 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-5bcec73368b44a4c883caa5e1644586c2025-08-20T02:33:44ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182025-05-011510122710.3390/diagnostics15101227Utilizing Shear Wave Elastography for the Evaluation of Ocular Involvement in Systemic SclerosisMehmet Kök0Ayşe Ayan1Mehmet Emin Arayici2Sinan Ülgen3Department of Internal Medicine, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Antalya 07100, TurkeyDepartment of Rheumatology, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Antalya 07100, TurkeyDepartment of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Inciralti-Balcova, Izmir 35340, TurkeyDepartment of Radiology, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Antalya 07100, Turkey<b>Background:</b> Several imaging studies have confirmed ocular involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, elastography has not yet been used for this purpose in the literature. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate ocular involvement in SSc using shear wave elastography (SWE). <b>Methods:</b> This study included 29 SSc patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. All participants underwent independent ophthalmological evaluations by two ophthalmologists. Subsequently, SWE was used to evaluate the retina–choroid–sclera (RCS), optic disc (OD), optic nerve (ON), and retrobulbar adipose tissue (RBFT) of the right eye. The median shear wave elasticity (kPa) and velocity (m/s) values were automatically calculated using the ultrasound device’s integrated software. <b>Results:</b> The elasticity and velocity values of RBFT in SSc patients were significantly higher than those in the control group. However, no notable differences were observed in other analyzed areas. A strong association was found between digital ulcers and velocity values of the RCS, while no significant differences were noted for other parameters. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study revealed increased stiffness in the RBFT of SSc patients. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence suggesting that SSc can affect RBFT. Further studies are required to confirm this finding and investigate its link to the disease. Additionally, we found a strong association between digital ulcers and increased RCS stiffness. Using SWE for the first time, we have demonstrated that microcirculatory disruption in SSc extends beyond the skin and can affect multiple tissues simultaneously.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/10/1227systemic sclerosisocular elasticityultrasound elastographyshear wave |
| spellingShingle | Mehmet Kök Ayşe Ayan Mehmet Emin Arayici Sinan Ülgen Utilizing Shear Wave Elastography for the Evaluation of Ocular Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis Diagnostics systemic sclerosis ocular elasticity ultrasound elastography shear wave |
| title | Utilizing Shear Wave Elastography for the Evaluation of Ocular Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_full | Utilizing Shear Wave Elastography for the Evaluation of Ocular Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_fullStr | Utilizing Shear Wave Elastography for the Evaluation of Ocular Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Utilizing Shear Wave Elastography for the Evaluation of Ocular Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_short | Utilizing Shear Wave Elastography for the Evaluation of Ocular Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_sort | utilizing shear wave elastography for the evaluation of ocular involvement in systemic sclerosis |
| topic | systemic sclerosis ocular elasticity ultrasound elastography shear wave |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/10/1227 |
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