Radiology Forums

john8867 · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 6 Location: England

Hi, I'm a student in chiropractic school in the UK and have to write an essay on the indications / contra-indications of Diagnostic Ultrasound. It's a new topic for me -- can anyone help or point me in the right direction? Any help much appreciated, cheers.

cherrhealth · Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Idaho

Check out www.radiologyinfo.com or www.acr.org

Have fun Laughing

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Gerald

john8867 · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 6 Location: England

Cheers, much appreciated. Just found a good section in Y+R vol 1 so am half way there.

cherrhealth · Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Idaho

Glad I could be of some help. Very Happy

_________________
Gerald

john8867 · Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 6 Location: England

Diagnostic Ultrasound

Indications

Diagnostic ultrasound has the ability to visualize muscle, tendon and ligaments. Abnormalities of muscles, such as tears and soft-tissue masses can be seen, and it is useful in diagnosing tendon tears, such as tears of the rotator cuffs in the shoulder or Achilles tendon in the ankle.

Although ultrasound cannot demonstrate the cause of fluid collections, these collections are well demonstrated. Ultrasound can determine the location of soft tissue infection as within muscle (pyomyositis), joint (septic arthritis), bursa, synovial sheath, or around bone (osteomyleitis).

Ultrasound can also be used to detect small lesions associated with rheumatoid arthritis that may be missed on standard plane film x-ray.

Pediatric patients are ideal candidates for the use of ultrasound owing to their abundance of cartilage, which allows identification of even more anatomy than in the mature skeleton.

Diagnostic Ultrasound is comparable to MRI in evaluating extremity synovitis, and outperforms MRI in the evaluation of tendons. It is the first-line imaging modality for appendicular soft tissue pathologies and is easily repeatable (allowing for follow-up images to document resolution after therapy).

Contraindications

Diagnostic Ultrasound of the musculoskeletal system has an exemplary safety record. There is little or no danger associated with musculoskeletal ultrasound exposure at recommended levels of operation. It requires awareness of thermal and non-thermal effects but is a low level risk in routine practice.

Ultrasound has difficulty penetrating bone and therefore can only see the outer surface of bony structures and not what lies within and beyond. It is best able to detect surrounding tissues and structures that have differences in density.

Plain film radiography should complement musculoskeletal diagnostic ultrasound to avoid overlooking soft tissue calcification or osseous lesions.

Diagnostic ultrasound of the adult spine lacks data on sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy and is not currently recommended for the routine diagnosis of disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and nerve root pathology.