Musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to use ultrasonography to measure femoral articular cartilage thickness changes during marathon running, which could support MRI studies showing that deformation of knee cartilage during long-distance running is no greater than that for other weight-bearing activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants included 38 marathon runners with no knee pain or history of knee injury, aged 18-39. Ultrasound images of the femoral articular cartilage were taken two hours before and immediately after the race...

The condition of sarcopenia, defined as a progressive loss of musculoskeletal mass and muscular strength, is very common in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and presents a remarkable association with its prognosis. Thus, the early identification of sarcopenic patients represents one of the potential new approaches in the global assessment of HCC, and there is increasing interest regarding the potential therapeutic implications of this condition. The gold standard for the quantification of muscle mass is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT), but these techniques are not always feasible because of the high-cost equipment needed...

Bowler's thumb is an uncommon traumatic neuropathy of the thumb ulnar digital nerve. We present a case of bowler's thumb in an individual who is an avid bowler, however, only manifesting following an unrelated injury. We describe the clinical and imaging findings, differential diagnostic considerations, and the treatment options. Knowledge of this entity and its sonographic features is important in order to identify this uncommon entity.

BACKGROUND Caudal regression syndrome (CRS) is a rare anomaly characterized by maldevelopment of the caudal half of the body and can involve the genitourinary system. This report presents the case of a 13-year-old girl diagnosed with CRS and previously unknown distal vaginal atresia, presenting with monthly pelvic pain. CASE REPORT A 13-year-old pre-menarcheal patient with CRS sought emergency care due to debilitating monthly pelvic pain persisting for 3 months. Pelvic examination revealed the absence of a vaginal opening, and a rectal exam showed a 5-cm large bulge anteriorly, along with a 2-cm fibrous septum in the distal portion of the vagina...

Peripheral nerve injuries in athletes affect the upper limb more commonly than the lower limb. Common mechanisms include compression, traction, laceration, and ischemia. Specific sports can have unique mechanisms of injury and are more likely to be associated with certain neuropathies. Familiarity with these sport-specific variables and recognition of the common presentations of upper limb neuropathic syndromes are important in assessing an athlete with a suspected peripheral nerve injury. Evaluation may require imaging modalities and/or electrodiagnostic testing to confirm a nerve injury...

Assessment of the posterior lateral knee pain poses diagnostic challenges, requiring accurate evaluation of various structures in light of the medical history and physical examination. Despite substantial progress in the ultrasonographic diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders, the current protocol (EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM. Basic scanning protocols for knee) fails to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the intricate, tendons, and ligaments of the posterior lateral knee. This pictorial review aims to bridge this gap by offering a systematic approach to utilize ultrasound examination of the less-discussed structures in this specific region...

Lateral ankle sprains, predominantly involving the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), constitute a significant portion of sports-related injuries, with a notable rate of recurrence and progression to chronic instability. Precise diagnosis and effective treatment of the ATFL and CFL injuries are crucial in preventing long-term complications. Musculoskeletal (MSK) diagnostic ultrasound has emerged as a pivotal tool in the rehabilitation sector, particularly in assessing lateral ankle ligament injuries...

Pediatric distal forearm fractures, comprising 30% of musculoskeletal injuries in children, are conventionally diagnosed using radiography. Ultrasound has emerged as a safer diagnostic tool, eliminating ionizing radiation, enabling bedside examinations with real-time imaging, and proving effective in non-hospital settings. The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound for detecting distal forearm fractures in the pediatric population. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted through a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases until October 1, 2023, following established guidelines...

Ultrasound elastography is a valuable method employed to evaluate tissue stiffness, with shear-wave elastography (SWE) recently gaining significance in various settings. This literature review aims to explore the potential of SWE as a diagnostic and monitoring tool for musculoskeletal injuries. In total, 15 studies were found and included in the review. The outcomes of these studies demonstrate the effectiveness of SWE in detecting stiffness changes in individuals diagnosed with Achilles tendinopathy, Achilles tendon rupture, rotator cuff rupture, tendinosis of the long head of the biceps tendon, injury of the supraspinatus muscle, medial tibial stress syndrome, and patellar tendinopathy...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to develop and validate a radiomics model based on ultrasound image features for predicting carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) severity. METHODS: This retrospective study included 237 CTS hands (106 for mild symptom, 68 for moderate symptom and 63 for severe symptom). There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in terms of age, gender, race, etc. The data set was randomly divided into a training set and a test set in a ratio of 7:3...

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal ultrasound is increasingly used as the modality of choice in diagnosing many medical situations. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect acute medial meniscus knee tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prospective study was conducted on patients with a suspected medial meniscus knee tear in the emergency department (ED). In the absence of a knee fracture in the X-ray, POCUS on the knee was done...

Extended field-of-view ultrasound (US) imaging, also known as panoramic US, represents a technical advance that allows for complete visualization of large musculoskeletal structures, which are often limited in conventional 2D US images. Currently, there is no evidence examining whether the experience of examiners influences muscle shape deformations that may arise during the glide of the transducer in panoramic US acquisition. As no studies using panoramic US have analyzed whether two examiners with differing levels of experience might obtain varying scores in size, shape, or brightness during the US assessment of the rectus femoris muscle, our aim was to analyze the inter-examiner reliability of panoramic US imaging acquisition in determining muscle size, shape, and brightness between two examiners...

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The levator scapulae muscle is a key structure in the etiopathology of neck and shoulder musculoskeletal pain. Although previous studies used shear-wave elastography (SWE) for characterizing this muscle elasticity, limited evidence assessed the inter-examiner reliability of this procedure. This study aimed to analyze the inter-examiner reliability for calculating Young's modulus and shear wave speed in a cohort of participants with and without chronic neck pain. A diagnostic accuracy study was conducted, acquiring a set of SWE images at the C5 level in participants with and without neck pain (n = 34 and 33, respectively) by two examiners (one experienced and one novel)...

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to understand how musculoskeletal training is structured in Italian residency programmes and the needs of young trainees. METHODS: We sent out an online questionnaire (17 questions) to Italian Society of Radiology residents and board-certified radiologists aged up to 39 years. RESULTS: A total of 1144 out of 4210 (27.2%) members participated in the survey; 64.7% were residents and 35.3% were board-certified radiologists...

Clinical manifestations of dermatological and musculoskeletal conditions can sometimes overlap, leading to confusion in diagnosis. Patients with nail and skin infections may undergo imaging examinations with suspicions of muscle, tendon, or joint injuries. Dermatological infections often involve soft tissues and musculoskeletal structures, and their etiology can range from fungi, bacteria, viruses, to protozoa. Relying solely on physical examination may not be sufficient for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, necessitating the use of complementary imaging exams...

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to investigate differences in ultrasound shear wave speed (SWS) between uninjured and injured limbs following hamstring strain injury (HSI) at time of injury (TOI), return to sport (RTS), and 12 weeks after RTS (12wks). METHODS: This observational, prospective, cross-sectional design included male and female collegiate athletes who sustained an HSI. SWS imaging was performed at TOI, RTS, and 12wks with magnetic resonance imaging...

The acromioclavicular joint (ACJ), a key element in shoulder movement and stability, is prone to various injuries such as sprains, dislocations, and osteoarthritis, typically resulting from physical trauma or wear and tear. Accurate and timely diagnosis is paramount for effective treatment and rehabilitation. Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound has emerged as a pivotal diagnostic tool due to its ability to visualize soft tissues and provide real-time imaging. This non-invasive tool is also invaluable for monitoring healing progress and the evolution of osteoarthritic changes...

The democratization of ultrasound imaging refers to the process of making ultrasound technology more accessible. Traditionally, ultrasound imaging has been predominately used in specialized medical facilities by trained professionals. Advancements in technology and changes in the health-care landscape have inspired efforts to broaden the availability of ultrasound imaging to various settings such as remote and resource-limited areas. In this review, we highlight several key factors that have contributed to the ongoing democratization of ultrasound imaging, including portable and handheld devices, recent advancements in technology, and training and education...

Shoulder pain is a common musculoskeletal pain in the general population and results in significant disability, quality of life impairment and financial burden to the health care system. This cross-sectional study was carried out among purposively selected 61 adult patients with shoulder pain and or limited range of motion in the Department of Radiology and Imaging, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Mymensingh, Bangladesh from September 2018 to August 2020 to determine the usefulness of USG in detection of common shoulder abnormalities, as an initial imaging modality using MRI as reference standard...