Batis Vasilios, Detorakis Efstathios, Schiza Sophia, Prokopakis Emmanuel, Krasagakis Konstantinos, Drakonaki Elena
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Greece.
Department of Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Disorders Unit, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Greece.
J Ultrason. 2025 Jun 30;25(101):20250019. doi: 10.15557/jou.2025.0019. eCollection 2025 Apr.
Skin ultrasonography and elastography provide information on superficial tissue anatomy and elasticity. Floppy eyelid syndrome is characterized by eyelid hyperlaxity and is associated with several ophthalmic and systemic conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea. This study evaluates the diagnostic role of ultrasonography and elastography in floppy eyelid syndrome.
This is a prospective case-control study. Patients were recruited from the Oculoplastic Service of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. The diagnosis of floppy eyelid syndrome was based on the eversion of the upper eyelid upon unassisted digital traction. Cataract surgery candidates without floppy eyelid syndrome were consecutively recruited as controls. Patients with a history of previous eyelid pathology or surgery were excluded. Ultrasound examination was performed using high-frequency linear probes (GE E9) for B-mode imaging and shear wave and strain elastography. Upper airway measurements included tongue thickness and upper airway length. Clinical and demographic findings were recorded.
Twenty-eight patients were included (14 with floppy eyelid syndrome, 14 controls). Orbicularis muscle elasticity in kPa was significantly higher in the floppy eyelid syndrome group, compared with controls (independent samples t-test score 2.64, = 0.04). Tongue thickness and upper airway length were also significantly correlated with several eyelid B-mode and elastography parameters in patients with floppy eyelid syndrome, including subcutaneous fat and orbicularis muscle thickness and elasticity.
Findings from this feasibility study imply that ultrasound and elastography parameters may be used in the evaluation of floppy eyelid syndrome and support an association between eyelid elasticity and upper airway anatomical parameters in this condition.
皮肤超声检查和弹性成像可提供有关浅表组织解剖结构和弹性的信息。睑皮松弛综合征的特征为眼睑过度松弛，并与多种眼科和全身疾病相关，如阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停。本研究评估超声检查和弹性成像在睑皮松弛综合征中的诊断作用。
这是一项前瞻性病例对照研究。患者从希腊克里特岛伊拉克利翁大学医院眼科的眼整形科招募。睑皮松弛综合征的诊断基于在无辅助手指牵引时上睑的外翻。连续招募无睑皮松弛综合征的白内障手术候选者作为对照。排除有既往眼睑病变或手术史的患者。使用高频线性探头（GE E9）进行超声检查，以获取B模式成像、剪切波和应变弹性成像。上气道测量包括舌厚度和上气道长度。记录临床和人口统计学结果。
纳入28例患者（14例睑皮松弛综合征患者，14例对照）。与对照组相比，睑皮松弛综合征组的眼轮匝肌弹性（以kPa为单位）显著更高（独立样本t检验得分2.64，P = 0.04）。舌厚度和上气道长度也与睑皮松弛综合征患者的多个眼睑B模式和弹性成像参数显著相关，包括皮下脂肪、眼轮匝肌厚度和弹性。
这项可行性研究的结果表明，超声和弹性成像参数可用于评估睑皮松弛综合征，并支持在这种情况下眼睑弹性与上气道解剖参数之间的关联。
