Skin thickness on bony prominences measured by ultrasonography in patients with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Objective

The detailed assessment of soft tissues over bony prominences and identification of methods of predicting pressure sores would improve the quality of care for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Comparing skin thicknesses on bony prominences in patients with SCI to those in healthy individuals will represent, to our knowledge, the first study aimed at determining whether differences in skin thicknesses between these groups can be detected by ultrasound.

Design

In both patients and controls, skin thicknesses on the sites at risk for pressure ulcers – sacrum, greater trochanter, and ischium – were evaluated using high-frequency ultrasound. The waist was also evaluated by the same method for control as it was considered to be a pressure-free region.

Participants

Thirty-two patients with complete thoracic SCI and 34 able-bodied individuals.

Results

The skin was significantly thinner over the sacrum and ischial tuberosity in individuals with SCI compared with healthy individuals. No significant differences were observed in skin thicknesses over the greater trochanter or the waist between the two groups.

Conclusions

Protecting skin integrity in patients with paraplegia is challenging due to many contributing factors, such as prolonged pressure, frictional/shearing forces, and poor nutrition. Thinning of the skin can increase the risk of soft tissue damage, leading to pressure ulcers. The significant differences in skin thickness at the sacrum and ischium provide the basis for establishing the early signs of pressure damage. Measuring skin thickness by ultrasound is a reliable non-invasive method that could be a promising tool for predicting pressure ulcers.

Keywords:

• Skin thickness
• Pressure ulcers
• Ultrasonography
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paraplegia
• Prevention
• Muscle thickness
• Rehabilitation