Aims and objectives
The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of ultrasonography (US),
compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI),
in the diagnosis and follow up of traumatic muscle injuries.
Muscle injury is one of the most common event occurring in sport traumatology and require careful clinical and instrumental evaluation and timely treatment in order to restore a good functional outcome.
Particularly in elite athletes,
where decisions regarding return to play and player availability have significant financial or strategic consequences for the player and the team,...
Methods and materials
During a period of three years 114 athletes,
mainly soccer and basketball players with a history of traumatic muscle injuries mainly to lower limbs,
were examined with US.
The US examination was performed from 6 to 72 hours after the trauma and compared with MRI,
performed from 2 to 7 days after the trauma.
US was performed using linear high frequencies probes (7.5-13 MHz) for superficial lesions and hematomas,
whereas convex-array traducers (3.5-7 MHz) were used in case of deep lesions to have a superior...
Results
US revealed 48 minor and 66 major traumas.
The concordance with MRI was in 99 patients (but the extent of the lesions was generally higher with MRI).
Minor traumas
US demonstrated low sensitivity in detection of minor traumas because US findings were vague and indistinct with poor oedema and without evident fiber disruption (89% mild contusions,
76% lengthenings,
59% DOMS).
In mild contusions,
a blunt external force caused a direct trauma.
The athlete experienced a dull,
diffuse pain but it was able to continue sport...
Conclusion
MRI is considered the gold standard examination in the detection of muscle traumas,
but the advantages of US over MRI in the acute and hyperacute phase consist in decreased cost,
wide availability and superior portability.
US also has an increased spatial resolution over MRI because it allows additional scans in all planes depending on the anatomical site of the lesions and a dynamic evaluation of the injury.
[2,
3]
US examination is limited by operator dependency and limited field of view (FOV) acquisition.
Linear high-frequencies...
References
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