Measurement of ultrasonic echo intensity predicts the mass and strength of the tongue muscles in the elderly.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the echo intensity (EI) on ultrasound images of the tongue, tongue thickness, and tongue pressure to examine the effectiveness of EI measurement for assessing the tongue function.

Methods: A total of 100 elderly outpatients were enrolled. Tongue thickness and EI were measured using ultrasonography. The distance from mylohyoid muscle surface to dorsal surface of the tongue was measured for tongue thickness. Subsequently, this area was vertically divided into four areas: top of tongue dorsal side (DT), bottom of tongue dorsal side (DB), top of basal tongue side (BT), and bottom of basal tongue side (BB), and the EI was measured in each area.

Results: The mean EIs of DT and DB were lower than those of BT and BB. In the three areas apart from BB, the EI decreased with an increase in tongue thickness. In particular, a significant correlation between the EI in DB and tongue thickness was found. In all areas, the EI decreased with an increase in tongue pressure.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that the measurement of EI could be an important indicator for assessing the tongue function in the elderly.