Learning objectives
To demonstrate the normal anatomy of shoulder joint,
and visualization of the structures with ultrasound.
To show the most frequent disorders,
traumatic,
inflammatory and degenerative,
involving the joint structures.
To explain the importance of the method for accurate diagnosis of the common shoulder pathology
To illustrate the advantages and limitations of the method
Background
According to some statistics,
shoulder problems occur in about 20% of population during their live.
Many of these conditions affect joint soft tissue structures.
Rotator cuff muscles and tendons,
tendon of long head of biceps brachii,
deltoid muscle,
ligaments,
bursas,
some osseous and cartilage parts of the shoulder are all structures that can be easily evaluated by ultrasound.
Dynamic investigation for shoulder functions,
such as establishing diagnosis of impingement syndrome can also be conducted.
Interventional procedures of the shoulder are easily performed by experienced radiologists....
Findings and procedure details
Ultrasound examination can be very useful in diagnosing both rotator cuff and non-rotator cuff disorders of the shoulder.
The rotator cuff consists of the tendons of four muscles: Subscapularis muscle that originates from the subscapular fossa and inserts into the humeral lesser tuberosity.
Supraspinatus muscle is localized in supraspinous fossa,
and laterally inserts into the greater tuberosity of the humerus.
Infraspinatus muscle takes origin from the infraspinous fossa,
and teres minor muscle originates just inferiorly.
They both insert into the greater tuberosity.
Normal ultrasound anatomy...
Conclusion
Ultrasound in shoulder disorders has lots of benefits and can help in establishing correct diagnosis in many of the cases.
It's inexpensive,
widely available method,
with advantages,
as dynamic examination,
comparison with contralateral side.
Ultrasound guided application of medications and biopsy of the soft tissue changes make the shoulder ultrasound irreplaceable method among the MSK radiologists.
It is also important for the radiologist to understand the weaknesses of the method.
The major limitations are the inability to evaluate the osseous structures and structures covered by...
References
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2013
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