The Beauty of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: Spot Diagnoses

Abstract

Introduction Ultrasound is a powerful technique in musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging, and it can replace MR imaging in many specific clinical scenarios. This article will feature some common and less common spot diagnoses in musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Spot diagnosis Cases were collected by members of the Educational Committee of the ESSR ( European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology) with expertise in musculoskeletal ultrasound. Sixteen clinical entities are discussed based on the features that allow US spot diagnosis.

Conclusion Clinical history, location, and ultrasound appearance are the keys to spot diagnoses when performing musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Key Points: 

• Musculoskeletal ultrasound can be the primary and only modality in common spot diagnoses in specific clinical settings.

• Clinical history, location, and ultrasound appearance are keys to spot diagnoses.

• Knowledge of spot diagnoses in musculoskeletal ultrasound facilitates daily clinical practice.

Citation Format

• Drakonaki EE, Martinoli C, Vanhoenacker FM et al. The Beauty of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound: Spot Diagnoses. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2023; 195: 385 – 392

Zusammenfassung

Einleitung Ultraschall ist eine leistungsstarke Technik in der muskuloskelettalen (MSK) Bildgebung und kann die MRT in vielen spezifischen klinischen Szenarien ersetzen. In diesem Artikel werden einige häufige und seltenere „Spot“-Diagnosen im muskuloskelettalen Ultraschall vorgestellt.

„Spot“-Diagnosen Die Fälle wurden von Mitgliedern des Bildungsausschusses der ESSR ( European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology) mit Expertise im muskuloskelettalen Ultraschall zusammengestellt. Sechzehn klinische Entitäten werden anhand der Merkmale erörtert, die eine sonografische „Spot“-Diagnose ermöglichen.

Schlussfolgerung Klinische Anamnese, Lokalisation und Ultraschallbild sind die Schlüssel für „Spot“-Diagnosen beim muskuloskelettalen Ultraschall.

Kernaussagen:

• Der muskuloskelettale Ultraschall ist in bestimmten klinischen Situationen die primäre und einzige Modalität für gängige „Spot“-Diagnosen.

• Anamnese, Lokalisation und Ultraschallbild sind entscheidend für die Diagnosestellung.

• Die Kenntnis von „Spot“-Diagnosen im muskuloskelettalen Ultraschall erleichtert die tägliche klinische Praxis.

Key words

soft tissues - ultrasound - anatomy

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 01. Juni 2022

Angenommen: 16. Oktober 2022

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
11. Januar 2023

• References

• 1 Martinoli C. Musculoskeletal ultrasound: technical guidelines. Insights Imaging 2010; 1 (03) 99-141
• 2 Chianca V, Albano D, Messina C. et al. Rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy: from diagnosis to treatment. Acta Biomed 2018; 8: 186-196
• 3 Lanza E, Banfi G, Serafini G. et al. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation in rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy: what is the evidence? A systematic review with proposals for future reporting. Eur Radiol 2015; 25: 2176-2183
• 4 Sconfienza L, Adriaensen M, Albano D. et al. Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Muscuoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-Part I, shouder. Eur Radiol 2020; 30 (02) 903-913
• 5 Tashjian RZ. Epidemiology, natural history, and indications for treatment of rotator cuff tears. Clin Sports Med 2012; 31: 589-604
• 6 Bianchi S, Martinoli C, Abdelwahab IF. Ultrasound of tendon tears. Part 1: general considerations and upper extremity. Skeletal Radiol 2005; 34: 500-512
• 7 Smith TO, Back T, Toms AP. et al. Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for rotator cuff tears in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Radiol 2011; 66: 1036-1048
• 8 Krogh TP, Fredberg U, Christensen R. et al. Ultrasonographic assessment of tendon thickness, Doppler activity and bony spurs of the elbow in patients with lateral epicondylitis and healthy subjects: a reliability and agreement study. Ultraschall Med 2013; 34 (05) 468-474
• 9 du Toit C, Stieler M, Saunders R. et al. Diagnostic accuracy of power Doppler ultrasound in patients with chronic tennis elbow. Br J Sports Med 2008; 42 (11) 872-876
• 10 Weiss C, Mittelmeier M, Gruber G. Do we need MR images for diagnosing tendon ruptures of the distal biceps brachii? The value of ultrasonographic imaging. Ultraschall Med 2000; 21 (06) 284-286
• 11 Lobo LdaG, Fessell DP, Miller BS. et al. The role of sonography in differentiating full versus partial distal biceps tendon tears: correlation with surgical findings. Am J Roentgenol 2013; 200 (01) 158-162
• 12 Bianchi S, Martinoli C. Ultrasound of the Musculoskeletal System. Springer; 2007: 449-452
• 13 Sconfienza L, Adriaensen M, Albano D. et al. Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Muscuoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-Part II, elbow and wrist. Eur Radiol 2020; 30 (04) 2220-2230
• 14 Steinberg BD, Kleinman WB. Occult scapholunate ganglion: a cause of dorsal radial wrist pain. J Hand Surg Am 1999; 24 (02) 225-231
• 15 Cardinal E, Buckwalter KA, Braunstein EM. et al. Occult dorsal carpal ganglion: comparison of US and MR imaging. Radiology 1994; 193 (01) 259-262
• 16 Bianchi S, Gitto S, Draghi F. Ultrasound Features of Trigger Finger: Review of the Literature. J Ultrasound Med 2019; 38 (12) 3141-3154
• 17 Lungu E, Michaud J, Bureau N. US Assessment of Sports-related Hip Injuries. RadioGraphics 2018; 38: 867-889
• 18 Wissman RD, Pomeranz SJ. Friction Syndromes of the Knee: The Iliotibial Band and Anterior Fat Pads. J Surg Orthop Adv 2018; 27: 77-80
• 19 Flato R, Passanante GJ, Skalski MR. et al. The iliotibial tract: imaging, anatomy, injuries, and other pathology. Skeletal Radiol 2017; 46: 605-622
• 20 Herman AM, Marzo JM. Popliteal cysts: a current review. Orthopedics 2014; 37 (08) e678-e684
• 21 Sconfienza LM, Adriaensen M, Albano D. et al. Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part V, knee. Eur Radiol 2022; 32 (03) 1438-1447
• 22 Vreju F, Ciurea P, Rosu A. Osgood-Schlatter disease – ultrasonographic diagnostic. Med Ultrason 2010; 12 (04) 336-339
• 23 Counsel P, Breidahl W. Muscle injuries of the lower leg. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2010; 14 (02) 162-175
• 24 Adhikari S, Marx J, Crum T. Point-of-care ultrasound diagnosis of acute Achilles tendon rupture in the ED. Am J Emerg Med 2012; 30 (04) 634.e3-4
• 25 Liu W, Zhuang H, Shao D. et al. High-Frequency Color Doppler Ultrasound in Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Achilles Tendon Injury. Med Sci Monit 2017; 23: 5752-5759
• 26 McMillan AM, Landorf KB, Barrett JT. et al. Diagnostic imaging for chronic plantar heel pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Foot Ankle Res 2009; 2: 32
• 27 McNally EG, Shetty S. Plantar fascia: imaging diagnosis and guided treatment. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2010; 3: 334-343
• 28 Wu J, Zhang YZ, Gao Y. et al. Assessment the reliability of ultrasound in the imaging of the plantar fascia: a comparative study. BMC Med Imaging 2019; 19 (01) 62
• 29 Sconfienza LM, Adriaensen M, Albano D. et al. Clinical indications for image-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi-based consensus paper from the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)-part VI, foot and ankle. Eur Radiol 2022; 32 (02) 1384-1394