Learning objectives
Description of the clinical role of Muscle Ultrasound (MUS) and illustration of the physical and technical requirements for accurate examination.
Background
MUS has been shown to be useful in many clinical settings,
related to diagnosis and follow up,
rehabilitation,
sports medicine,
emergency medicine and anesthesia.
MUS is a suitable imaging technique for normal and pathological findings,
in both adult and pediatric patients,
as it is non-invasive cost effective and real-time characteristics.
Physical,
technical and practical knowledge of MUS has an important role to play in muscular imaging assessment,
functional and stiffness analysis,
and biopsy and injection procedure guidance.
Imaging findings OR Procedure Details
The physical background,
correct instrumentation and technical procedures for basic and innovative Ultrasound (US) imaging are described below,
subdivided into several topics.
US Imaging:
· B-Mode.
· Elastosonography.
· Bi-dimensional Panoramic Imaging.
· Three-dimensional Panoramic imaging.
· Volumetric imaging.
· Low Mechanical Index (MI) Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS).
Doppler hemodynamics evaluation modalities:
· Pulsed Wave Doppler.
· Color Doppler.
· Power Doppler.
The details of insonation and advanced imaging technologies (harmonic imaging,
speckle reduction and compound imaging techniques) are also described below.
Ultrasound physical principles...
Conclusion
MUS is a feasible technology that can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and follow-up in everyday clinical practice.
Precise knowledge of its physical and technical features is vital for the effective application and clinical use of this technique.
Awareness of advanced tools,
such as Elastosonography,
CEUS,
Volumetric and Panoramic Imaging,
Real-time Fusion Imaging,
can open new pathways in the research field as well as in everyday clinical practice.
References
[1] Ruowei Li et al.,
“Costamere remodeling with muscle loading and unloading in healthy young men”,
J Anat.
2013 Nov; 223(5): 525–536; 2013 Sep 8.
DOI: 10.1111/joa.12101.
[2] W.
Herzog,
“Skeletal Muscle Mechanics: From Mechanisms to Function“,
Wiley&Sons,
2000,
ISBN 0-471-49238-8.
[3] E.
Muller,
S.
Lindinger,
T.
Stoggl,
“Science and Skiing V,
Volume 5”,
Meyer & Meyer Verlag,
2012,
ISBN: 978-1-84126-353-3.
[4] J.
L.
Nuzzo,
D.
W.Haun,
J.
M.
Mayer,
“Ultrasound measurements of lumbar multifidus and abdominal muscle size in firefighters”,
Journal of Back and...