Quantifying Effect of Onabotulinum Toxin A on Passive Muscle Stiffness in Children with Cerebral Palsy Using Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography.

OBJECTIVE: A pilot study was conducted to longitudinally quantify effect of onabotulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) on passive muscle properties in children with cerebral palsy using ultrasound shear wave elastography.

DESIGN: This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study.

RESULTS: Between 1 and 3 mos post-BoNT-A, a significant improvement in the shear modulus of the lateral gastrocnemius was found at 10-degrees plantar flexion (PF) (-7.57 [-10.98, -5.07], P = 0.02) and 0-degrees PF (-14.74 [-18.21, -9.38], P = 0.03). There was a notable, but nonsignificant, difference in shear modulus at 20-degrees PF, 10-degrees PF, and 0-degrees PF between pre-BoNT-A and 1 mo post-BoNT-A. Pre-BoNT-A shear modulus was not significantly different from 3 mos post-BoNT-A at all foot positions. No significant differences in ankle passive range of motion or spasticity were found.

CONCLUSION: Despite no significant change in ankle range of motion or spasticity, shear wave elastography was able to detect a difference in lateral gastrocnemius passive muscle properties in children with cerebral palsy after BoNT-A injections. The difference in passive muscle properties resolved by 3 mos post-BoNT-A.