Ultrasound-guided interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system

Abstract

Ultrasonography is the most appropriate tool for interventional procedures in the musculoskeletal system when the lesion is visible on ultrasonography. Procedures performed under ultrasonographic guidance include: taking biopsies; draining abscesses; bursitis; hematomas or muscle tears; treating cystic lesions; diagnostic or therapeutic arthrocentesis; injecting substances into joints or lesions; aspirating calcium deposits and extracting foreign bodies.Although some of these procedures are often carried out without imaging guidance, ultrasonographic guidance improves their efficacy. Drainage can be performed with catheters or needles and makes it possible to avoid more aggressive treatments in most cases.Urokinase is useful for draining hematomas or fibrinous collections. Injecting corticoids is useful in the treatment of synovial cysts, Baker's cyst, tendinitis, and non-infective arthritis. Calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder can be treated effectively with percutaneous calcium lavage.