Imaging algorithms for evaluating suspected rotator cuff disease: Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound consensus conference statement.

The Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound convened a panel of specialists from a variety of medical disciplines to reach a consensus about the recommended imaging evaluation of painful shoulders with clinically suspected rotator cuff disease. The panel met in Chicago, Ill, on October 18 and 19, 2011, and created this consensus statement regarding the roles of radiography, ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), CT arthrography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and MR arthrography. The consensus panel consisted of two co-moderators, a facilitator, a statistician and health care economist, and 10 physicians who have specialty expertise in shoulder pain evaluation and/or treatment.

Sonographically guided percutaneous needle release of the carpal tunnel for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: preliminary report.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel treatment procedure, sonographically guided percutaneous needle release of the carpal tunnel, for individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods: Seventeen patients (89% female; mean age, 62 years; SD, 13.6 years) with a clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome who had undergone a sonographically guided percutaneous needle release of the carpal tunnel at least 6 months before follow-up evaluation were retrospectively reviewed.

Sonographically guided percutaneous needle tenotomy for treatment of common extensor tendinosis in the elbow: is a corticosteroid necessary?

Objective: Chronic refractory common extensor tendinosis of the lateral elbow has been shown to respond to sonographically guided percutaneous needle tenotomy (PNT) followed by corticosteroid injection. In this analysis, we attempted to determine whether the corticosteroid is a necessary component of the procedure.

Methods: We performed PNT on 57 consecutive patients (age range, 34-61 years) with persistent pain and disability resulting from common extensor tendinosis.

Noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy: pathology and management.

Many patients present to their physician's office with the chief complaint of pain at the Achilles tendon. This review discusses the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. Achilles tendinopathy is generally caused by chronic stress to the tendon, leading to a defective arrangement of collagen fibers in the Achilles tendon.

Sonographically guided percutaneous needle tenotomy for treatment of common extensor tendinosis in the elbow.

Objective: Chronic tendinosis of the common extensor tendon of the lateral elbow can be a difficult problem to treat. We report our experience with sonographically guided percutaneous needle tenotomy to relieve pain and improve function in patients with this condition.

Methods: We performed sonographically guided percutaneous needle tenotomy on 58 consecutive patients who had persistent pain and disability resulting from common extensor tendinosis.

Lateral epicondylitis of the elbow: US findings.

Purpose: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography (US) in the detection of lateral epicondylitis and identify the US findings that are most strongly associated with symptoms.

Materials And Methods: Internal review board approval was obtained for retrospective review of the patient images, and the need for informed consent was waived. Internal review board approval was also obtained for scanning the 10 volunteers, all of whom gave informed consent.

Physical examination of the shoulder in the primary care setting.

Shoulder problems are extremely common reasons for visiting a primary care physician. To make a correct diagnosis, an appropriate physical examination must be performed. This article describes a systematic approach to the physical examination, correlating the various maneuvers and tests with the anatomy and pathology of the shoulder.

Dynamic US of the anterior band of the ulnar collateral ligament of the elbow in asymptomatic major league baseball pitchers.

Purpose: To determine whether dynamic ultrasonography (US) can reveal abnormalities of the anterior band of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow in asymptomatic major league professional baseball players.

Materials And Methods: US was performed in 26 asymptomatic major league professional baseball pitchers before spring training. Images were obtained in both pitching and nonpitching arms with a multifrequency 13-MHz linear-array transducer.

Advantages of real-time spatial compound sonography of the musculoskeletal system versus conventional sonography.

Objective: Spatial compound sonography is a method that obtains sonographic information from several different angles of insonation and combines them to produce a single image. By reducing speckle and improving definition of tissue planes, this method can potentially improve image quality in musculoskeletal sonography. The purpose of our study was to compare real-time spatial compound sonography with conventional high-resolution musculoskeletal sonography.

Femoral head contusion without hip dislocation: low-energy trauma in a female basketball player.

Femoral head contusions can occur concurrently with knee ligament injuries, patellar dislocations, or traumatic hip dislocations. Posterior hip subluxation is a possible mechanism in the absence of hip dislocation. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion when evaluating an athlete who has significant hip or groin symptoms, despite having experienced seemingly minor or relatively low-energy trauma.