CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Revista Fisioterapia Invasiva / Journal of Invasive Techniques in Physical Therapy 2020; 03(01): 045-048
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1712928
Practice Forum
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ultrasound assessment of the external occipital protuberance in young adults. Clinical implications

Article in several languages: English | español
Adrián Benito Domingo
1   Sannus Clinic, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
,
Alberto García Godino
1   Sannus Clinic, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Madrid, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

28 March 2020

29 April 2020

Publication Date:
30 June 2020 (online)

Abstract

Introduction The current lifestyle, related to the indiscriminate use of screens from early ages with sustained postures, can cause structural changes (osteophytes) to the upper trapezius enthesis on the external occipital protuberance. Such findings in the skull are rare and usually asymptomatic, especially in young adults. Therefore, it is important to analyze, evaluate and correlate these findings with the patient's symptoms. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is an ideal tool to enable the evaluation of these structural alterations. Description of the Exam Prone position avoiding cranio-cervical hyperextension. A linear probe is used with a low frequency range (8–10 Mhz) The scan used as a reference is the transverse exam of the bone prominence. Subsequently, this is confirmed with a longitudinal exam, which is used to measure the osteophyte. The normal reference value is <10 mm. Discussion The ultrasound exam described above enables the easily reproducible assessment and measurement of osteophytes and insertional soft tissue at this level to enhance treatment planning.

 
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