ABSTRACT: Objective To explore the value of two-dimensional shear wave elastography in evaluating the wasting of biceps brachii in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Methods The thickness of biceps brachii and superficial adipose tissue and its Young's modulus were measured and compared in long-term dialysis group

short-term dialysis group and healthy control group. Results (1) The thickness of biceps brachii in the long-term group (1.98±0.35cm right

1.99±0.32cm left) was thicker than that of the control group (1.92±0.21cm right

1.94±0.19cm left) and the short-term group (1.81±0.30cm right

1.82±0.30cm left). There was significant difference between the long-term group and the short-term group (p <0.05). (2)The thickness of superficial adipose tissue anterior to the biceps brachii in the control group (right 0.40 (0.34

0.51) cm

left 0.40 (0.35

0.51) cm) was thicker than that of the long-term group (right 0.35 (0.30

0.48) cm

left 0.37 (0.30

0.51) cm) and short-term group (right 0.30 (0.26

0.42) cm

left 0.32 (0.27

0.46) cm)

the difference between short-term group and control group was statistically significant (p<0.05). (3) The highest measuring velocity of shear wave in biceps muscle and its superficial adipose tissue was obtained in the control group (right 3.72±0.25m/s

3.27 (3.15

3.38) m/s

left 3.76±0.19m/s

3.22 (3.14

3.36) m/s)

followed by short-term group (right 3.47±0.26m/s

3.09 (2.97

3.27) m/s

left 3.48±0.24m/s

3.08 (3.00

3.20) m/s)

and long-term group (right 3.17±0.33m/s

2.85 (2.69

3.07) m/s

left 3.17±0.27m/s

2.88 (2.73

3.07) m/s)

and there were statistical significance among them (p<0.05). Conclusion As a non-invasive and convenient imaging method to evaluate the thickness and elastic modulus of biceps brachii and its superficial fat in maintenance hemodialysis patients

ultrasound can be used to quantitatively assess the degree of muscle function impairment.